Wet June may turn into early arrival of monsoon

An abnormally wet month, particularly in northern San Juan County, resulted in wetter than normal conditions in June. Rain in Monticello was 257 percent of normal, with precipitation on 13 days of what is historically the driest month of the year.

Precipitation totals were close to normal in Blanding and below normal levels in Bluff.

For the water year, precipitation continues to be above normal in Blanding and below normal in Monticello.

Generally at this time of year, local residents are eager for the start of the monsoon season, which brings moisture beginning between July 4 and 24. In 2009, the wet spring and early summer weather has already brought greenery that generally does not arrive until the monsoon season.

The National Weather Service generally marks the beginning of the Southwest Monsoon when the average dew point at the Tucson, AZ airport exceeds 54 degrees. This signals the arrival of moisture from the Gulf of California. Historically, the dew point exceeds 54 degrees beginning on about July 10. In 2009, the dew point began to exceed 54 degrees in Tucson on June 27, two weeks earlier than normal.