As afternoon clouds gather, brisk winds scatter from all directions, and the sky darkens, resulting in sudden rainfall that often departs as swiftly as it arrives. This recurring phenomenon signals a crucial time for the southwestern United States and Mexico, as residents hold onto hope for vital rain to mitigate wildfire threats and keep rivers alive.
Meteorologists report that the current monsoon season, which officially started on June 15 and extends until the end of September, commenced with abundant rainfall. New Mexico and West Texas have received generous showers, while Arizona and Nevada experienced dust storms—a seasonal staple. On July 1, Las Vegas faced fierce thunderstorms and dust storms that felled power lines, uprooted trees, and damaged utility poles across the city, leaving tens of thousands without electricity.
Globally, monsoon seasons often mean continuous rainfall spanning several months. However, in North America, conditions can fluctuate significantly based on moisture levels and wind directions. The monsoon season is driven by accumulating summer heat and shifting winds, directing moisture from distant bodies of water to arid regions.
Anticipating the monsoon, the Navajo Nation declared an emergency due to worsening drought conditions across its territory—spanning parts of New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah. Persistent below-average rainfall has resulted in minimal grazing land, intensified fire risk, and farmers are advised to consider herd reduction, adopt drought-resistant crops, and limit irrigation. Similarly, New Mexico’s governor declared an emergency in May over severe drought conditions and increasing fire risks.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Integrated Drought Information System note that monsoon rainfall provides only a small percentage of the West’s water, with most coming from snowpack. Nevertheless, summer rain can alleviate drought impacts by reducing reservoir water demand, replenishing soil moisture, and groundwater, and decreasing wildfire risks. New Mexico and Arizona benefit the most from the North American monsoon, receiving between 10% and 60% of their annual precipitation in this season. Southern Nevada typically receives about 20% to 25% of its summer condition rainfall.
At the base of New Mexico’s Jemez Mountains in the Rio Grande, Santa Ana Pueblo farmers gaze at the sky with anticipation. Pueblo Governor Myron Armijo reports several substantial downpours have occurred, with hopes for more. Yet, as Armijo states, the outcome lies with higher powers.
Increasing river flows—and in some cases, flooding in usually dry areas or wildfire-scarred landscapes—accompany the summer rains. From Tucson, Arizona to Albuquerque, New Mexico, and San Antonio, Texas, communities have established sandbag stations. In Española, transportation officials closed a historic bridge over the Rio Grande due to concerns about increased water flows eroding a concrete pier.
Near the Gila National Forest, New Mexico National Guard troops delivered multiple sandbags for residents bracing for post-fire flooding, as a recent blaze charred approximately 74 square miles. Similarly, hundreds of firefighters are relying on elevated humidity and rain to quell a raging wildfire across a mountainous area of the Navajo Nation, with the blaze advancing six miles in mere hours.
Once the blaze ceases, land managers foresee the monsoon’s mixed blessings, as rain over burned hillsides will likely trigger debris-laden runoff. Artist Daniel McCoy reflects on how nature’s cycles, like the Rio Grande’s transformation into a sediment-filled waterway after each downpour, permeate his artwork. Inspired by the landscape surrounding Santa Fe, McCoy bridges his past working on farms in Oklahoma with his current experience amid the water-scarce Southwest.
For McCoy and many others, life harmonizes with the sun and water. As seasonal changes dictate daily life, the importance of water—represented by a nearby sign declaring “El Agua No Se Vende. El Agua Se Defiende,” meaning “Water is not for sale. Water is defended”—is unmistakably profound, shaping existence in the Southwest as residents adapt to the rhythm of nature.