Those winds, which should be blowing from the east, according to Howlett, are the result of a high- and low-pressure difference caused by the cold Rocky Mountain winter air meeting warmer desert air.
“Because of the topography of Tucson, there’s a little bit of a strengthening that occurs when we have winds from that direction,” Howlett said. “And, it usually is windier at night and in the morning when we have those kind of east wind events.”
Still, the cooler weather isn’t a trend that will hold, at least according to National Climate Prediction Center. According to data, Tucson and Southern Arizona are predicted to follow course with January: slightly warmer and drier than normal.
“We’re still in that La Nina pattern and this is really typical of what we’ll see,” Howlett said. “This time of year: above normal temperatures, below normal rainfall. And we’re still kind of looking at that for the month of February.”
Photos: Winter rains over Tucson
New Year’s Eve Rain
A woman crosses a glistening Fourth Avenue at Seventh Street as series of winter storms drops rain on the valley, Tucson, Ariz., December 31, 2021.
New Year’s Eve Rain
Umbrella carrying pedestrians cross as they walk along Congress near Sixth Avenue under a steady rain from a series of winter storms that passed over downtown, Tucson, Ariz., December 31, 2021.
New Year’s Eve Rain
A break in the clouds lights up downtown including the skyscraper One South Church, the Marist College building and St. Augustine Cathedral, all reflected in a puddle from the rains that fell for most of the afternoon, Tucson, Ariz., December 31, 2021.
New Year’s Eve Rain
A brilliant rainbow arcs over the downtown skyline in the rain from a winter storm, Tucson, Ariz., December 31, 2021.
Christmas Eve
A pedestrian walks along Church Avenue near Congress Street during a persistent rain falling over the area all morning and into the early afternoon on Christmas Eve, Tucson, Ariz., December 24, 2021. A quarter to half inch …….