As Arizona’s hot, dry desert yearns for a refreshing respite, the monsoon season promising a break from the bone-dry weather, albeit with a catch. Tucson’s monsoon season begins mid-June and extends through September, bringing with it a mixed bag of joys and challenges.
Over the years, the shift in weather patterns has seen an increase in atmospheric water vapor due to rising temperatures. This has led to a significant alteration in the behavior of monsoons, now marked by fewer but more intense storms, increased rainfall, and stronger winds. At Storm Damage Specialists, we always have roofs on the brain! As Tucson’s monsoon season continues in full gear, here are some things you need to know about this fascinating weather phenomenon and how to protect your commercial or residential property.
The Down And Dirty On Monsoon Season’s Rain and Dust Storms
Our state of Arizona, known for its sprawling desert landscapes and soaring temperatures, is also home to an amazing natural phenomenon that paints a unique canvas across its sun-drenched skies: the North American Monsoon. This season lasts from June 15th to September 30th and is characterized by an inviting shift of winds that travel north from Mexico, spurring an array of thunderstorms that are both awe-inspiring and potentially devastating to buildings.
Just as summer starts to slide into its peak, usually around late June or early July, an atmospheric ballet commences. A zone of high pressure graces the intersection of Arizona, Utah, Colorado, and New Mexico, known as the Four Corners. The prevailing westerly winds accompanying this high-pressure zone set in motion a mesmerizing dance as it spins clockwise, drawing moisture from the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico.
A monsoon storm sweeps across the state from south to north, enveloping Arizona in a wet embrace. A week or two after it first graces the southeastern parts of the state, the northern parts of Arizona experience the monsoon’s magic.
This dance of the monsoon is not always gentle. These storms can unleash extreme weather, such as heavy rain and hail, localized flash floods, damaging wind, lightning, and dust storms. However, despite its disruptive potential, the monsoon season is considered crucial as it contributes to half of the Southwest’s annual rainfall. Ironically, the cessation of the monsoon heralds the commencement of tropical storm activities. These storms journey into Arizona, pouring heavy rainfall across the state.
Another piece of monsoon season is the dust storm, also called a haboob. These incredible dust storms frequently occur during the monsoon season. Interestingly, the severity of these storms is influenced by the preceding seasonal conditions. A dry spring and winter season often leads to loosened dirt, setting a perfect stage for the formation of large and overwhelming storms. When these storms meet certain criteria, they are transformed into mighty haboobs.
The formation of a haboob involves an intense column of sinking air within a thunderstorm. When this air reaches the ground, it spreads out in all directions at extraordinary speeds of up to 60 miles per hour, carrying with it sand or dust particles. These dust particles can reach a staggering height of up to 5,000 feet, and stretch an impressive 100 miles wide. These storms pack enough power to damage property, cause power outages, uproot trees, and even claim lives if one happens to be caught in their path.
2023: A Stormy Year In Review
After a couple of wet monsoon seasons, the weather took a turn in 2023. It was considerably drier than usual in the southwestern U.S., particularly in central and southern Arizona, New Mexico, and west Texas. These areas received less than half of their typical rainfall. Paradoxically, the extreme western part of Arizona, southern California, and most of the Great Basin Region saw precipitation levels higher than normal.
Typically, monsoon season sees frequent severe thunderstorms, but in 2023, thunderstorm activity was considerably reduced. If you’re a Tuscon resident, you probably noticed how the lack of thunderstorms, combined with drier conditions, contributed to significantly elevated temperatures across the region from June to September. Unfortunately, these hot and dry conditions led to the resurgence of drought conditions, especially across Arizona and New Mexico, compared to the previously wet 2022-2023 winter season, which had substantially reduced drought conditions.
Despite the reduced frequency of thunderstorms, monsoon 2023 was not without its high-impact events, especially Tropical Storm Hilary in mid-August and significant flash flooding in early September affecting parts of Arizona and southeast California.
Given the reduced precipitation during the monsoon season, extreme heat was a significant hazard, with Pima County experiencing a record-breaking 53 consecutive days over 100 degrees. Moreover, the hot conditions contributed to a record-breaking total of 176 heat-related fatalities in 2023.
How To Prepare Your Property for the Arizona Monsoon Season
As the monsoon season continues, commercial building owners, managers, and homeowners must be prepared to protect their properties and prevent damage. Weather patterns are changing, with higher temperatures leading to increased water vapor in the atmosphere and altering the behavior of monsoons. While you might be relieved by the predictions of fewer monsoon thunderstorms, the storms we have now tend to produce higher rainfall amounts, more intense rainfall, and stronger winds. None of this is good news for your roof!
Last year, we developed a handy checklist for homeowners and commercial property owners to ensure your building is ready for heavy monsoon rains. In addition to this resource, here are a few tips to ensure your commercial building weathers this monsoon season successfully:
Inspect and repair your roof:
Proper maintenance can prevent small problems from turning into expensive repairs. Regular inspections are key to identifying any initial signs of damage. Extreme temperatures, heavy rainfall, and regular use can wear out your roof. An annual inspection and timely repairs can help you avoid leaks, flooding, and other costly damages.
If you suspect your building is in need of roof repair or replacement, give SDS a call right away for a free inspection.
Clear out your gutters:
Before a major storm, it’s crucial to ensure that your gutters are free of debris. This helps prevent clogging, allowing rainwater to drain off effectively.
Maintain and inspect joints and skylights:
Regular inspections of the points where different surfaces come together can help identify potential leaks early on, preventing issues such as mold.
Identify and prepare for problem spots:
If your property has a history of specific issues during heavy rainfall, having engineers on standby during monsoons can prevent further damage. Continue reading below to find out why last year’s severe weather may have made your roof especially vulnerable this year.
Know where to turn:
Keep a roster of vendors—restoration companies, water extractors, mold remediation vendors, concrete and asphalt vendors, and roofers!—to address any issues that may arise during the monsoon season. Good relationships with these vendors can help resolve problems quickly and efficiently.
One of the advantages of SDS is that we are a general contractor, one of the few roofing companies in the area that is also a general contractor. What does this mean to you? It means that we can provide any service needed to mitigate wind or hail damage to your roof and building. We will even go so far as to help a homeowner find an Airbnb and remove and safely store vulnerable building or home contents.
The Roofs That Weathered Last Year’s Storms: A Tale of Long-Term Consequences
It goes without saying that your roof serves as the first layer of protection against the elements, braving the fierce winds, beating sun, and cascading rain all year round. But what happens when this protective shield shows signs of weakness and damage, especially after enduring severe storms? With last year’s storms being particularly harsh, countless roofs have suffered significant damage—but what does this mean in the long term?
Wind Damage: A Silent Accelerator
Wind can have a subtle but significant impact on the health of your roof. As it whips across your home or commercial building, the pressure it creates can cause weak areas in your roof to deteriorate. This is a slow and insidious process, making it especially difficult to spot until the damage has already taken a serious toll. Shingles weakened or lain bare by wind damage are more susceptible to further weakening with each gust. Furthermore, debris carried by strong winds could further compromise your roof’s integrity. A roof weakened by wind over time isn’t just an issue of aesthetics, but of the overall stability and safety of your building.
Hail and Storm Damage: Visible and Devastating
On the other hand, hail and storm damage is often more evident. Large hailstones are a clear enemy to the shingles, capable of causing severe physical damage. The protective granules on asphalt shingles can suffer significant loss from hail, leaving the shingles exposed and vulnerable. When a storm hits hard, the granules that shield your roof against the sun’s harmful rays and other external elements can be worn out, causing your roof to age prematurely.
Aging: The Slow Goodbye to Your Roof
Aside from the weather-related adversities, the passing of time is a formidable foe to your roof. All roofing materials have a finite lifespan, and as the years go by, wear and tear naturally accumulate. This can lead to sagging, loss of granules, and leakages, all of which can result in structural damage and pose serious safety risks if not addressed promptly.
The Danger Beneath: Structural and Water Damage
Damage to your roof isn’t only superficial. Wind and hail damage wreak havoc underneath your roof, leading to structural failure. Water damage, in particular, is a massive threat once your shingles have been damaged. The longer you leave these issues unattended, the more extensive the damages become, turning a potentially simple repair into a full-blown roof replacement.
Structural degradation is another significant long-term effect of storm damage. A small issue like a loose shingle may seem innocuous, but if left unattended, it can snowball into a larger problem. Regular inspections, timely repairs, and diligent maintenance can thwart such escalation and prolong your roof’s lifespan.
In the worst cases, storm-induced roof damage can even pose safety hazards. A weakened roof can collapse under heavy rain or strong winds, risking the safety of everyone inside. For more information, take a look at our article about Identifying Damage and Consequences of Ignoring Repairs to your commercial flat roof.
Other Culprits: Poor Ventilation, Gutter Damage, and Extreme Heat
In addition to the aforementioned points, poor ventilation, damaged gutters, and the extreme Tuscon heat can play significant roles in deteriorating your roof’s health. Poor ventilation can lead to mold growth, damaged insulation, and excessive energy bills. Damaged gutters can cause water to be retained against your home, accelerating damage to your roofline. The constant exposure to high heat and humidity in the summer can result in shingle damage, leading to mold, mildew, and devastating roof damage.
The Weather May Change, But SDS Will Always Be Your Trusted Roofing Partner
While weathermen can (and do) make predictions every day, we all know that nature will never cease to surprise us. Thankfully, Storm Damage Specialists are a constant source of information and reliable roofing services, no matter what the skies may bring. If you are concerned about storm damage to your roof from either recent or last year’s storms, follow our storm damage guide to navigating this critical process. Most importantly, contact our team at the first sign of roof problems to ensure your property is ready for Tucson’s extreme weather conditions. While no one knows what the rest of 2024 may bring, you can rest easy knowing you’re under a solid roof!
