The upside down

Uhhh … so … is it monsoon season or something?

We know things have been bizarre in the world lately – Republicans turning on Bud Lite, Americans rooting for Russia, the Oscar Meyer Weinermobile being retired.

But seriously, what’s with the storms rolling in every afternoon like it’s already July?

We turned to the National Weather Service for answers. Turns out, no, it’s not officially monsoon season. Instead, it’s something called “back-door monsoonal circulation.” Now, we know what you’re thinking, and get your mind out of the gutter!

No, no –  the back-door monsoonal circulation is a term coined by the NWS’ Flagstaff office. Our calls to the Flagstaff office weren’t returned, but we did find the original weather report that described it as such.

“Perhaps the most interesting aspect of this potential synoptic pattern is the introduction of a pseudo-monsoon to the Southwest. Much of this moisture would originate from the Gulf of Mexico, riding on easterlies to find its way to the Southwest. A set up like this, with moist mid-levels and a broad region of ascent, would be conducive for daily afternoon convective showers.”

Scott Sterns, a meteorologist at the NWS’ Grand Junction office, simplified it, saying a ridge of high pressure, with moisture trapped under it that’s recycled on a daily basis, is causing thunderstorms to pop up. However, he said it’s not unusual to have a wet spring; it’s just that maybe our selective memories can only recall the past couple springs, which were dry and dusty.

Whatever the case, be happy the world isn’t burning down and enjoy the Weinermobile while you can.