The term “monsoon” comes from the Arabic “mausim” meaning “season.” Simply put, the  monsoon  is the time of the year, or the season, when winds shift, bringing an increase in moisture to the Southwest. The resulting storms can range from minor blowing dust to severe thunderstorms.  Often, the more severe storms begin with towering walls of dust hundreds of feet high that move across the Valley. These dust walls are known as “haboobs,” an Arabic term for the similar walls of dust that are common in the Middle East. With the dust comes high winds, usually followed by heavy rains.  At times, the thunderstorms can result in microbursts, which are the result of cold, dense air from a thunderstorm hitting the ground, bringing with it intense winds. These winds spread out in all directions and have the potential to cause intense damage.  Interesting fact:  The wettest monsoon in Phoenix was in 1984, when 9.56 inches of rain fell at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport; the driest was 1924 when only 0.35 of an inch was recorded.