best time for clouds Eastern Arizona

[civich]

Hey ROL,
While in Arizona on a project I was told that the word "monsoon" means "changing wind" in whatever SE Asian language it originates from (hindi, bengali?). Though the implications in Asia are vast, in the American SW it means simply that moist air is coming in from the Gulf of Mexico instead of the drier Pacific source. I submit this to your expertise in the area - true or no? Inquiring minds want to know. -Chris

That's what I'd choose, for the incorrectly monikered southwest "monsoon" season, not being true mesoscale monsoon dynamics. But then I have no standing being only a degreed meteorologist who will only shoot landscape sky with clouds - and I'd still keep my fingers crossed what with changing global atmospheric dynamics.

[Erik Larsen]

Kirk, congrats on the opportunity! Do you show the work that you will accomplish while being the resident artist or do you show past work at your lecture?
Erik

[Kirk Gittings]

Past work though I have done some work earlier at this park that I may include, but will mainly show work from Chaco and around SW.

[Jim Michael]

When I lived in Tucson a few years ago the term chubasco was being promoted as preferable to monsoon. One day I planned to photograph storms over Tucson from Saguaro Monument West. I hiked to a nice vantage point as some storms were forming, when one snuck up from behind and pelted me with hail, forcing a hasty retreat under a rock in an arroyo, not a good place to be in a storm.

[David Karp]

Congrats, and have lots of fun!

[rjphil]

Congratulations Kirk !!

[Kirk Gittings]

Wow, I am there now and the clouds have been spectacular-a dream come true.

[Vaughn]

The summer I spent working at the Grand Canyon did have some great August weather. I remember on fellow who pulled in for gas with his family in the station wagon (1977 -- there were still station wagons!)...he was pissed about driving the 50 miles north from HWY 40 (probably at the suggestion of the wife) and having it cloudy and no view of the Canyon. He filled up and roared back down to HWY 40. If he had waited 30 minutes, he could have seen the Canyon reveled as the clouds lifted -- a wonderful sight.

But it was a bit much to be working at a gas station with lightning hitting all around!

Glad you are getting your clouds, Kirk!

[Kirk Gittings]

Thanks Vaughn

[Jim Andrada]

We moved to Tucson in June of 2006. In July we had an absolute monster of a storm - it washed out the roads and bridges in Sabino Canyon and sent house-sized boulders down the hills. I believe a few people were drowned trying to drive through some of the washes where they just pave a road across the wash instead of building a bridge. The storm blew itself out around 4PM and I drove up to the viewing area at Gates Pass. The sunset was unbelievable. Unfortunately I only have digital shot of it made with a Canon 5D and 100 - 400mm lens.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/89514126@N05/9691160014/