Arizona Could Get Wetter Than Usual Monsoon In 2021: NWS

PHOENIX, AZ — After one of the driest Monsoons on record a summer ago, there may be cause for celebration in 2021.

That's the initial takeaway from the National Weather Service's Climate Prediction Center, which released its precipitation predictions for the United States for June, July and August on Thursday.

The center found that most of the Grand Canyon State has an above-average chance of receiving more rain that normal during the summer months.

A big update from @NWSCPC today shows odds are slightly favored for above normal precipitation in June, July, and August in much of Arizona. After two consecutive extremely dry summers, the trend may finally be shifting. #azwx #CAwx pic.twitter.com/MgmINntt69
— NWS Phoenix (@NWSPhoenix) March" class="redactor-linkify-object">https://twitter.com/NWSPhoenix... 18, 2021

Such a prediction is welcomed, after a Monsoon that shattered records in Tucson for the fewest inches of rain during the three-month window that runs from late June through September.

The situation in 2020 wasn't much better in Phoenix, with the Valley receiving its lowest Monsoon rain total since at least 1990.

Any surplus in rainfall would also put a dent in the current drought conditions that are widespread throughout Arizona, with more than 50 percent of the state in 'exceptional drought' conditions and 100 percent of Arizona in at least 'moderate drought' currently.