Monsoon Awareness Week

News 11 weathercaster Melissa Zaremba has more about what we can expect this upcoming monsoon season.

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY-TV) - Monsoon season is just days away and this week is Monsoon Awareness Week.

Get ready for some rain, Monsoon season is right around the corner. 

“This year's odds are tiltIng with more precipitation for areas of central southeast Arizona,” said National Weather Service Phoenix Tom Frieders. 

2020 was considered the driest Monsoon season in Arizona with an average of 6.39 inches.  

But last year was the 20th wettest on record at 7.93 inches across the region. 

As we inch closer to the start of Monsoon season heavy rain is possible.

Monsoon Awareness Week helps inform locals on what’s to come. 

“Flooding is the number one related killer with thunderstorm activity so that’s one of the big things we need to prepare for but also we are so dry going into the season we need to be concerned with gusty winds from the storms that produce a lot of blowing dust and also the lightning threat,” said Frieders.

Yuma averages about an inch of rain which is the driest area in the state but it’s important to always be prepared. 

“Just a few inches could knock a person off their feet and 6 to 12 inches could move a vehicle. Every year we lose lives that think their vehicle is big enough and bad enough that it could go through a roadway, stay out of those and stay clear of anything that is moving water,” Yuma Fire Department Mike Erfert. 

Hot temperatures will continue and rain chances are possible now through September.

Make sure to always stay alert. 

Monsoon season officially begins this Wednesday. You can read more about monsoon awareness here. 

Also make sure to check your daily forecasts and weather alerts by watching our newscasts every day or you can visit our website right here.