Monsoon Madness in the Arizona Desert

The Arizona Desert is certainly known for its brutally hot summers but I think many who have never lived here or even visited here in the summer really cannot even grasp the meaning of the word brutal when describing Arizona desert living.  Today, for instance, the temps were hovering above 110 degrees but it felt even hotter, if one can even fathom that kind of heat.  Your skin literally feels like it will burn off.  It is a scorcher and even the National Weather Service says it feels hotter than the actual temperature at 115 degrees!  I think they lie because if we actually knew the truth of how hot it really is we may move and the economy doesn't want that happening.  Of course I'm joking but am I really?  I hear people say all the time, who do not live here, oh but it's a dry heat!  If I hear that one more time I just may scream.  Those are people who have truly never lived here in the season of death.  Yes, the desert heat is stifling but there is much more to a desert summer than extreme heat.

When referring to the Arizona desert summers, you may have heard the word monsoon but more than likely aren't quite sure what that means.  The word  monsoon means the season of heavy rain and in Arizona the monsoon season typically arrives anytime after June 15th and finishes up before or around September 30th.  During this time, a monsoon storm can typically bring a wall of dust, high winds, lightning, thunderstorms and heavy downpours that can cause flash flooding.  These storms can be quick but intense with high winds, and rainfall that can drop significant amounts in a short time.  Most of us who live here welcome the monsoon storm because it brings a bit of a break from the oppressive heat.  But they can be dangerous with walls of dust that create very low visibility, and dangerous air quality.  The storms are notorious for causing flash flooding, which means people need to stay informed and prepared.

A few years back we started hearing the word "haboob" when describing the Arizona monsoon.  It sounds kind of funny but it actually is a serious event.  An actual haboob is a large dust storm caused by strong thunderstorm winds that kick up dust and sand creating a massive wall that can reduce visibility to zero within seconds.  They usually hit in the afternoon or evening and can last from several minutes up to an hour.  If you see a dust wall heading your way, it is my recommendation to head indoors as quickly as possible, close all windows and avoid driving.  Make sure you secure everything, and I mean everything.  I have lost many patio umbrellas never to be seen again and have had several ripped beyond repair.  Trees can be uprooted, powerlines downed in streets so it is best to protect yourself by staying indoors.  

Flash floods can hit with little warning during a monsoon storm, especially in wash areas.  Heavy rain falling onto dry, hard packed ground can quickly turn into fast moving walls of rushing water.  And even if it isn't raining where you are, storms in nearby regions can send water rushing down washes in your area.   Never drive through flooded roads or washes as the depth and current can be deceiving and quite dangerous.  And in Arizona we have what is called the stupid motorist law, which is formally known as Arizona Revised Statute 25-910 and holds drivers liable for the costs of emergency services if they become stranded after driving around barricades and into a flooded area.  And besides being held responsible for those costs there can be other fines such as reckless driving and even child endangerment.  Insurance policies may exclude coverage for damages or rescue costs.  It really was created to encourage motorists to think twice before making a gamble.  It can be quite dangerous as lives have been lost to such choices.

Preparation is always key with regards to the Arizona monsoon season.  Check out these tips for being prepared for a monsoon storm.

• Check local weather updates daily and sometimes even more often.
• Bring in items that can be blown away and secure awnings.
• Always keep your car at least half full in case of an emergency.  
• Avoid driving during dust storms and heavy downpours.
• Stay indoors and unplug sensitive devices during lightning storms. 

*A quick note about Valley Fever.  You may not know what that is but it is a sickness and a serious one.  It isn't contagious but it is widespread in the desert SW with people as well as pets.  During the monsoon season, inhaling the dirt that has been stirred up by a typical dust storm has more to worry about than low visibility.  Why?  Because embedded in the soil of the desert SW as well as parts of Mexico and Central and South America, there lives a fungus in spores that can cause a fungal infection by inhaling them.  Many people experience mild or no symptoms but when they do occur they include fever, headache, night sweats, muscle aches and joint pain and in some cases a rash may develop.  Most people recover without treatment but some can develop serious lung infection and it can even spread to other parts of the body.  My Rocky dog has been living with it for a couple years and it even went to his brain, causing seizures.  He is on long duration (maybe lifelong) of 4 different medications to keep him alive and stable.  My Otis died of it as did one of my mom's dogs.  So when a dust storm comes your way, remember how important it is to stay indoors.  Despite these challenges, monsoons DO bring much needed rain to the desert and helps cool down the temps.  

And in spite of the extreme summer heat in Arizona there is beauty in the desert and even with the wild monsoons there ARE lovely plants that thrive.  Seems unbelievable but it is true.  Of course Cacti and sun tolerant succulents thrive but also aloes.  I always have a lot of aloe by the end of summer as it just seems to not only grow but multiply!  Other plants that thrive are Hibiscus, bouganvillea, native shrubs, agaves, adeniums and lantana.  

The Hibiscus flowers, both fresh and dried, are versatile and can be used in various culinary and beverage applications as well as for medicinal purposes.  They can be enjoyed in teas, put into deserts or used to add flavor.

Hibiscus tea is a popular drink and all you need to do is steep the dried flowers in hot water to make a refreshing tea, which can be enjoyed hot or cold.

And then what is awesome about the hibiscus is it can be used to treat a variety of ailments, including colds as well as heart and nerve diseases.  Hibiscus extracts can be used to hydrate the skin.  I use it sometimes when making beauty oils.

For a yummy treat try this no-churn Hibiscus Ice Cream to cool you off in the summer heat:  It is made with dried hibiscus flowers and you can buy them at the grocery store packaged.  Other ingredients include canned full fat coconut milk, evaporated milk, sweet condensed milk, ginger, cinnamon and cloves, brown sugar and water.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cup brown sugar

1 1/2 cup water

1 cup dried hibiscus

2 inches fresh ginger

1 cinnamon stick

2 cloves

16 oz full fat coconut milk

6 oz evaporated milk

6 oz sweetened condensed milk

1  tsp vanilla extract

2 pinches sea salt

Instructions:

*Stir together water, brown sugar, dried hibiscus, ginger, cinnamon stick, and cloves to a small saucepan over medium heat.

*Bring mixture to a boil then turn off heat and allow syrup to cool before straining out solid ingredients

*Add hibiscus syrup, coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk,, vanilla extract, and salt to food processor or blender and process on high until well combined.  

*Transfer liquid to freezer safe container and freeze for at least 4 hours.  Then serve and enjoy!

 

So how CAN one enjoy themselves with extreme heat and monsoon storms?  There really are a lot of fun activities people can enjoy in the heat of July.  Of course indoor pools and water parks are an amazing family fun activity.  The Wolf Lodge Park is a fun water park in Scottsdale.

Summer in the Arizona desert is a great opportunity to visit our numerous indoor museums and art galleries such as Scottsdale's Museum of the West.  

We have an also have a beautiful indoor Butterfly museum!

There are also movie theaters and shopping malls which are always a great way to cool off and have fun.  Libraries have activities for kids and who doesn't like to get lost in a good book? You may not think that a desert would have an ice skating rink but there are numerous skating rinks in the Phoenix metropolitan area and it is a wonderful way to beat the heat.  There are sporting venues indoors as well as many casinos for adult fun, even midnight bingo!  Then there are numerous indoor concerts throughout the summer hat provide music entertainment all around the valley plus many plays and dance troupes who perform indoors. 

A key family attraction is the Odysea Aquarium that is fun for everyone.  Who would guess there would be sea creatures in the middle of the desert?

We even have a Music Museum in Scottsdale. 

There are free days at the museums, art galleries and even free concerts one can attend.

The list is endless.  If you can think of it we probably have it as we are pros at learning how to live, thrive and entertain in extreme heat.  For me, I'm happy reading books, writing, listening to music, drawing, watching movies or shows, making crafts, putting together puzzles or cooking.  I never find I am bored.  

Recently I designed our newest addition to the boutique called Sarah's Secret Garden Hair Oil. 

In the desert SW our hair and skin take a beating.  My daughter, Sarah, who the oil is named after, started noticing her hair falling out, getting dry, thinning out and breaking off.   She has beautiful long hair and would like to keep it that way so I did some research and made her a hair oil to address just those things.  I am happy to report that she has seen a dramatic difference for the better as her hair is softer, healthier and more supple.  I have added it to the boutique so check it out.  The description is listed.  

I hope you all have a safe summer and I look forward to our next blog meeting. Keep cool and if you make your way to the Desert SW in July don't forget to come prepared so you can have a fun in the valley of the sun that leaves you with wonderful memories.  Yes, you CAN survive the madness of the monsoon. 

"The lightning stirs with the sunset, on the horizon I see the rain":