Do you like monsoon weather?
Well, most states get some type of monsoon weather, and that includes our local deserts and mountains. But here in Southern California, especially in the Valley, we don’t really get a lot of monsoon weather. At least, not frequently like other places do.
Take Arizona, for example. During the summer, they usually get quite a bit of monsoon weather. Monsoon weather is basically tropical moisture that can bring rainstorms, unstable air, lightning, thunder and sometimes some pretty crazy weather.
I’ve been through monsoon weather in Nashville, Tennessee; Las Vegas, Nevada; Laughlin, Nevada; and parts of Arizona. And then there’s Los Angeles, California, which is a completely different story because when we get this kind of weather, it’s pretty rare.
And honestly? I kind of love it.
Well… except for the humidity. 😂
Humidity can definitely be hit or miss for me because humidity is not really part of the Southern California vocabulary. We’re used to dry heat. Our bodies are used to dry heat. Give us 100 degrees with dry air and we’re like, “Okay, whatever.”
But add humidity? Absolutely not.
If you’re from somewhere that deals with humidity regularly, you’re probably much more used to it. And if you’re a Southern Californian like me, you know exactly what I mean. We’re just not built for that thick, humid air!
There are plenty of states that are known for their humidity; Florida, Texas, Louisiana, New York and many others. I visited Orlando, Florida, during the summer, right in July, and it was flat-out humid with periods of rainfall. I’ve also experienced Houston, Texas, although I was only four years old, so I don’t remember much of that one.
Nashville, Tennessee, is another story. I experienced monsoon-like weather there during the summer, and it was incredibly humid, but honestly, it was also kind of fun and different.
And that’s exactly why I like it here when we get it. It’s different. When you live in Southern California, you get used to the dry heat, the sunshine and the blue skies. So when tropical moisture moves in and suddenly the air feels thick, the clouds roll in, and we actually get rain during the summer, it changes the entire mood of the Valley.
There’s something about the smell of the air. The moisture on your skin.
The clouds. The cooler temperatures. Even the way everything looks feels different.
My skin always feels so dried out from the constant dry heat, so when we finally get some moisture in the air, my skin actually feels pretty good. 😂 That might honestly be one of the only good things about humidity for me.
Because otherwise? I sweat like crazy. The air feels thicker.
Sometimes it feels harder to breathe. And I immediately start looking for air conditioning.
Some of us were simply not made for humidity , and I think that’s what makes me a Valley Gurl. 😂🌴
Over Labor Day weekend, we experienced more of that tropical storm/monsoon-type weather around Los Angeles and the Valley. It was kind of a predictable and unpredictable few days at the same time.
Thankfully, here in the Valley, it wasn’t anything too threatening. We didn’t get a ton of wind, and we didn’t get a crazy amount of lightning or thunderstorms either.
It started Sunday. I went to a concert, and fortunately, the rain had stopped by the time I got there. But the humidity? GOOD LORD.
It was humid outside, and somehow it felt humid inside the Kia Forum too. The hallways were warm and humid, and once everyone got into the arena and the music started, it felt like the temperature just kept climbing. I was sweating to no end , and I’m sure everyone else was too. 😂The air felt thick, and it was definitely one of those moments where you appreciate air conditioning whenever you can get it.
Then came Monday. They said we could get more rain, but it really didn’t rain much at all. Tuesday, on the other hand, was a different story. It rained through much of the late morning and early afternoon, and it was cloudy for most of the day. And honestly, we weren’t really expecting that. The tropical moisture was coming from Hurricane Marie out in the Pacific, which helped bring that moisture into Southern California.
And honestly? We needed it.
It gave the Valley a completely different vibe. That’s the thing about unusual weather here. When you live somewhere that is normally sunny, warm and dry, something as simple as a cloudy summer day can suddenly feel like an event.
Rain in September? A whole mood.
Dark clouds over the Valley? A whole vibe. Humidity? Okay, maybe not my favorite part. 😂 But I’ll take the change of scenery.
So, if you happen to be in the Valley when monsoon weather makes an appearance, enjoy it. Take in the clouds. Smell the rain. Enjoy that little bit of moisture in the air.
Take some pictures. Because when you’re in the Valley, you never know when you’re going to see it again.
So when you see monsoon weather, enjoy it , because when you’re in the Valley, it’s very rare. 🌴⛈️🩵
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