The weather has been very odd. It’s overcast and muggy, but that’s first thing in the morning. The temperature hasn’t been over 100 degrees for days. What’s going on? Is it the monsoon? If only there was a meteorologist to ask. But wait!

_{2008 Star photo
Lightning strike near Vail, AZ.}

Just in time to answer your monsoon questions, the Arizona Daily Star is conducting a live chat with meteorologists from the National Weather Service. It will be next Monday, June 15th, at noon. That is the perfect day for it, since, we all know that the monsoon now goes from June 15 to Sept. 30. Rain or shine. Dew point or no dew point.

You will be able to ask your questions live on Monday, but if you already know what you would like to ask, you can submit your questions now. There is a submission form at http://www.azstarnet.com/special/monsoonchat

Then, Monday at noon, drop by StarNet for the live chat.

Also, this Sunday, June 14th, in the Metro section, there will be a full-page monsoon explainer guide. It will include information on tornadoes in the desert and weather related dangers as well as lots of cool stuff about monsoons.

In the meantime, as we wait for the monsoon to start on June 15th — or for some of us, when there are three consecutive days in which the dew point reaches 54 degrees or above — start thinking rainy thoughts.

Remember to share your monsoon memories, photo and videos on the monsoon blog. Throughout the season, the blog will highlight events in Tucson that celebrate our glorious rainy season.

And with that, let the monsoon begin!