Page 2 - Ft. Huachuca Scout 7-10-15

2A The Scout FRIDAY, JULY 10, 2015

Monsoon season arrives, brings needed moisture to desert

Special to The Scout in areas that rarely see rain. By September or October, our region begins to cool
down, reducing the thermal and the winds return to their northwesterly flow, reduc-
The monsoon is here! It’s that time of the year again when our region gets much ing the significant chance of rain.
needed rain.
The average amount of rain for a typical monsoon is about 7 inches. Last year
We all look forward to the moisture and some relief from the hot weather we’ve was an exceptional monsoon period.
been experiencing recently. But what is the monsoon? Most people say it’s the time
of year when we get ‘a lot’ of rain. But what actually causes this period of frequent The Electronic Proving Ground Meteorological Team maintains several weather
rain? towers on Fort Huachuca. From June through September, their towers recorded on
average: East Range received 14.6 inches on the East Range, 12.96 inches on the
The meteorological definition of a monsoon is the seasonal reversal of the overall West Range and 13.21 inches on Main Post. One tower in Upper Garden received
wind pattern of the area. This results in a rainy season and a dry season. The mon- an abundant 21.51 inches.
soon is a worldwide phenomenon that typically occurs in coastal regions where the
temperature differences between land and water causes a shift in winds. Though precipitation is immensely beneficial to the region, occasionally mon-
soon rains are excessive and can cause serious and life-threatening floods even at
In the southwest, the jet stream plays a major role in our seasonal wind shift. locations that may not receive flow during most of the year. Be careful when travel-
During the winter, the jet stream moves south and brings with it, winter storms from ing on our roads and don’t enter a flooded wash. It takes less water than expected to
the north. During winter, our predominate wind flow is from the northwest. During lift a vehicle and create a dangerous, uncontrollable situation.
the spring, the jet stream recedes north and an area of strong high pressure develops
over the southwest. During the summer, our predominate wind flow comes from For those who enjoy some home gardening, perhaps consider purchasing a rain-
south/southwest. water harvesting system. This would reduce the use of potable water for irrigation.

In the southwest United States, monsoon typically begins in July. Although, it is For those who own homes with private wells, rainwater harvesting offers a way
not unusual to see precipitation occurring in late June. During the summer, intense to reduce well pumped energy consumptions and reduce the amount of water has
heat increases in the southwest due to the high pressure. Since heat rises, a thermal to deliver. This can be useful if your well is affected by dry spells and water table
low pressure system forms at the earth’s surface. This low pressure draws air and fluctuations. More information on rainwater harvesting systems can be found on the
moisture from the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Ocean resulting in frequent thun- WaterWise website at http://cals.arizona.edu/cochise/waterwise/links.html.
derstorms across the southwest.
More information related to the monsoon and other climate topics can be found
Monsoon thunderstorm activity is often very sporadic. A location can receive, on the National Ocean and Atmospheric website at www.noaa.gov.
one, two or more inches of rain in a very short period of time. While another loca-
tion, as little as a half mile away may receive no rain. This can lead to flash flooding (Editor’s note: This article was written by Justin U. Nixon, hydrologist with the
Directorate of Public Works’ Environmental and Natural Resources Division; and
Kyle S Molloy, meteorologist with Army Test and Evaluation Command.)

Fun Fact: The term monsoon is derived from the Arabic word “mausim”
or “mawsim” which means ‘season’.

Scout on the Street: How do you prepare for monsoon season?

Compiled by Stephanie Caffall

Lois Sagmoe

EFMP Systems Navigator

Teresa Spencer

$(52I¿FHU

Russ Carey

Relocation Program Manager

Alma Tamayo

Survivor Outreach Services Program Specialist

Fred Robinson

Director of Religious Education

Morgana Biddix

Chapel Support Services Assistant

“I check my vehicle wind shield “I usually make sure my yard has “I prepare my house, making sure “I always carry an umbrella and “I put Rainex on my car wind- “I take a special route home to
wipers and tires to make sure been sprayed and de-weeded, windows are sealed. Also I make make sure my wipers work. I also shield and turn off the irrigation DYRLGÀRRGHGVWUHHWVDQGJXOFKHV
they’re working good.” making sure it’s fully detailed sure my roof has a good seal too. always look at the weather in the system at my house.”
before monsoons start.” I keep sandbags nearby too.” morning to make sure I know what I also keep my roof maintained.”
to expect throughout the day.”

the fort huachuca Scout ® ZD\FRQQHFWHGZLWK'$XQGHUH[FOXVLYHZULWWHQ ,IDYLRODWLRQRUUHMHFWLRQRIWKLVHTXDORSSRUWXQLW\ Command Staff
FRQWUDFWZLWKWKH86$UP\,QWHOOLJHQFH&HQWHURI SROLF\E\DQDGYHUWLVHULVFRQ¿UPHGWKHSULQWHUVKDOO Commanding General ..... 0DM*HQ5REHUW$VKOH\
This newspaper is an authorized publication for ([FHOOHQFHDQG)RUW+XDFKXFD7KHFLYLOLDQSULQWHU UHIXVHWRSULQWDGYHUWLVLQJIURPWKDWVRXUFHXQWLOWKH Garrison Commander ......... &RO7KRPDV$%RRQH
LVUHVSRQVLEOHIRUDOODGYHUWLVLQJ YLRODWLRQLVFRUUHFWHG7KHDSSHDUDQFHRIDGYHUWLVLQJ 3XEOLF$IIDLUV2I¿FHU ...................... Angela Camara
members of the U.S. Army. Contents of The Fort &RPPDQG,QIRUPDWLRQ&KLHI..............HQ5RELQVRQ
+XDFKXFD6FRXWDUHQRWQHFHVVDULO\WKHRI¿FLDOYLHZV Editorial material for publication should be in this publication, including inserts or supplements,
RIRUHQGRUVHGE\WKH86*RYHUQPHQW'HSDUWPHQW VXEPLWWHG WR WKH )RUW +XDFKXFD 3XEOLF$IIDLUV GRHV QRW FRQVWLWXWH HQGRUVHPHQW E\ WKH 'HSDUW- Editorial Staff
RI'HIHQVH'HSDUWPHQWRI$UP\RUWKH86$UP\,Q- 2I¿FH&DUQDKDQ6W%OGJ7KH)RUW PHQWRI$UP\RU$HURWHFK1HZVDQG5HYLHZRIWKH 0DQDJLQJ(GLWRU ..................................Joan Vasey
+XDFKXFD6FRXW,0+83$)RUW+XDFKXFD$= SURGXFWVRUVHUYLFHVDGYHUWLVHG&RSLHVRI7KH)RUW
telligence Center of Excellence and Fort Huachuca. 2UVHQGHPDLOWRNHQQHWKDURELQVRQ +XDFKXFD6FRXWDUHDYDLODEOHWRPHPEHUVRIWKH Printer’s Staff
,W LV SXEOLVKHG ZHHNO\ H[FHSW &KULVWPDV DQG FLY#PDLOPLO7KH3$2UHVHUYHVWKHULJKWWRHGLWDOO Co-owners ............................3DXODQG/LVD.LQLVRQ
commander’s internal audience for monthly post- 5HJLRQDO0DQDJHU ..............................'LDQH+DVVH
1HZ<HDUVXVLQJGHVNWRSSXEOLVKLQJE\WKH3XEOLF material submitted for publication. DJHDQGKDQGOLQJIHHVXSRQDSSURYDORIWKH3$2 /D\RXWDQG'HVLJQ..............................'LDQH+DVVH
$IIDLUV 2I¿FH 86$UP\ ,QWHOOLJHQFH &HQWHU RI (YHU\WKLQJDGYHUWLVHGLQWKLVSXEOLFDWLRQVKDOOEH
32670$67(5 Send address changes to Writer ...........................................Stephanie Caffall
Excellence and Fort Huachuca, Fort Huachuca, PDGH DYDLODEOH IRU SXUFKDVH XVH RU SDWURQDJH $HURWHFK1HZVDQG5HYLHZ($YH.6XLWH Writer ...............................................1DWDOLH/DNRVLO
$=3ULQWHGFLUFXODWLRQ
without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national Lancaster, CA 93535
All editorial content of The Fort Huachuca 7RVXEPLWVWRULHVRULQTXLULHVFDOO
6FRXWLVSUHSDUHGHGLWHGSURYLGHGDQGDSSURYHG origin, age, marital status, physical handicap,
E\WKH3$27KH)RUW+XDFKXFD6FRXWLVSULQWHG SROLWLFDODI¿OLDWLRQRUDQ\RWKHUQRQPHULWIDFWRURI '61RUID[)RUDGYHU-
E\$HURWHFK1HZVDQG5HYLHZDSULYDWH¿UPLQQR WLVLQJFDOO
the purchaser, user or patron.