By Jim Militello | 2024-06-27
![Community photo entitled Monsoon season off to a good start in Arizona by John Ashley on 06/23/2024 at Rio Rico, Arizona, USA](https://ecp.earthsky.org/upl/gravity_forms/6-d613a712aa1020729eb530187e1fe51d/2024/06/3-strikes2.jpg)
Monsoon season off to a good start in Arizona
On 06/23/2024 01:31 pm by John Ashley| Rio Rico, Arizona, USA
Monsoon season started two days early this year in southern Arizona. Daily rounds of rain and lightning are bringing much-needed respite from drought and 100F+ degree heat. From the Arizona Historical Society:
"Today [June 24th] is Día de San Juan, or the Feast of St. John the Baptist. In addition to being an important feast day for Catholics, Día de San Juan also marks the beginning of monsoon season. There are a few possible origin stories for the connection between St. John and the monsoons: one suggests that Francisco Vasquez de Coronado declared June 24th a day of rain in the desert after he prayed for, and received, rain. Another story argues that it was actually a 17th century Mexican priest who connected St. John to the monsoon when the priest traveled to drought-stricken Chihuahua and prayed for rain. The rain fell in a torrential downpour on June 24th." (https://arizonahistoricalsociety.org/2020/06/24/dia-de-san-juan-celebrations-in-tucson/)
Nikon Z9 with Rokinon 24mm lens. ISO 50, f22, 1/80th sec exposure
Adobe Bridge and Photoshop