News Climate

Southwest’s monsoon season may heat up with the climate

Warmer temperatures may bring stronger rainy seasons over the long term, study finds

Scientists analyzed a cave formation, like the ones shown, from Carlsbad Caverns to investigate monsoon activity over the last 1,400 years.

NPS Photo by Peter Jones

By Erin Wayman

- More than 2 years ago

The summer monsoon that dumps rain on an otherwise-arid American Southwest may grow stronger as the climate warms, suggests a study of the region’s monsoon patterns of the last millennium.