By John Simpson
February 2021 was very dry in the region. The Tucson Airport recorded no rain for the month, which is only the 4th time that has occurred since records began in the 1880s. The airport’s 30-year February rainfall average is 0.86.” I only recorded 0.01” which is well below my 10-year average of 0.90.” On the temperature side, February 2021 was the 16th warmest with the average temperature being 2.7 degrees above the 30-year February average. For the 2020-2021 winter season (December – February), the airport recorded only 0.98” and I recorded 1.55,” both numbers being well below winter seasonal averages. On the temperature side, the airport recorded its 13th warmest winter, being 2.2 degrees warmer than the 30-year average. The climate prediction center is still forecasting above normal temperatures and below normal precipitation for the Spring.
However, at the time of this writing in late March, temperatures have not been too warm and we have had some decent precipitation in the region. Another silver lining is the climate prediction center’s first forecast for this upcoming monsoon season is calling for a greater than average chance for above normal precipitation. Remember, last year was the second driest monsoon in Tucson history. For next month, I will report on March and provide further insight on the upcoming monsoon forecast.
John Simpson has lived in southern Arizona the past 31 years and Vail for 15 of those years. John has a bachelor’s degree in Atmospheric Science from the University of Missouri and a mster’s degree in Atmospheric Physics from the University of Arizona. He loves exploring the outdoors with his family and photographing weather and the beauty of southern Arizona.