It looks like this year the summer monsoon got its start a little earlier than usual. Right now, we’re typically still baking under 115 degree temperatures, waiting for some relief from the heat whenever we happen to find ourselves away from the air conditioner.

However, we’re happy the storms have arrived and it makes for an exciting time of year. The storms are beautiful, dramatic, and dangerous. Even with the cloud build up that can be seen from miles away, the dust, lightning, and rain can all happen so quickly that people are routinely caught off guard.

The monsoon season also makes for an incredible photography subject. So if you’re still waiting for rain to make it to your doorstep or are missing out on it by instead spending your time in some boring place like San Diego, here are some photos to enjoy. Stay safe this summer!

1. Some beautiful clouds build up near Phoenix, hopefully with rain in store.
Julius Whittington/Flickr
2. Clouds and dust begin to roll over Scottsdale.
Dru Bloomfield/Flickr
3. In movies, these clouds would look scary.
Christine Cowen/Flickr
But we know they just mean rain is on the way!
4. Are you team dust storm or team haboob?
Alan Stark/Flickr
5. Another dramatic view of a dust storm/haboob rolling into Phoenix.
Broderick Delaney/Flickr
6. I can only imagine what out-of-towners must think when they see this for the first time.
Jasper Nance/Flickr
7. Dust takes over downtown Phoenix.
Ms. Phoenix/Flickr
8. It’s difficult to see South Mountain here in the middle of the storm.
Alan Stark/Flickr
9. And here comes the rain!
Alan Levine/Flickr
10. Wow! The slow shutter speed caught lightning and the cloud’s movement over the mountains.
ed ouimette/Flickr
Taken near Canyon Lake.
11. Lightning strikes at the Grand Canyon.
Grand Canyon National Park/Flickr
12. Lightning strikes near the Superstition Mountains.
ed ouimette/Flickr

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13. Lightning jumps horizontally across the sky in Tucson.
Katie Moore/Flickr
14. Blue lightning in Mesa.
Jason Corneveaux/Flickr
15. That is some powerful lightning.
Katie Moore/Flickr
16. Can you imagine seeing this from afar?
John Hunnicutt II/Flickr
This view is from the Ritz Carlton in Marana.
17. Rain looks like wispy hair from afar. This was taken on the Navajo Nation.
CEBImagery/Flickr
18. A blur of clouds and rain along Beeline Highway.
Jerry Ferguson/Flickr
19. A look at a storm moving through Tucson.
John/Flickr
20. Rain falls in Sedona.
Mike/Flickr
21. A look at summer rains in Flagstaff over the peaks.
Deborah Lee Soltesz/Flickr
22. Look out for flash floods!
delphic/Flickr
23. Once that water starts charging, there’s no stopping it.
Public Affairs/Flickr
24. Chocolately water flows through Grand Falls following rain.
CEBImagery/Flickr
Beware, this can happen in a matter of minutes so stay away from washes and other flood areas unless you want to get swept away.
25. And the storm ends with a rainbow, like that seen here at the Grand Canyon.
steffo photography/Flickr

What is your favorite part of the monsoon season? Let us know in the comments!

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