Sonoran Sky

July has been "Jekyll & Hyde." Rainfall totals at Sky Harbor International Airport are showing below-average rainfall totals for the monsoon so far. First Alert Meteorologists Pete Mangione and Royal Norman discuss why the Sky Harbor rain gauge is used when it often doesn't accurately depict how much rain the entire Valley gets. Plus, Arizona is seeing a string of extreme heat but the high humidity is the culprit for keeping our overnight lows in the mid-90s. Today's guests are Tom Frieders, Warning Coordination Meteorologist with the National Weather Service and Dan Henz, Flood Warning Program Manager with the Flood Control District of Maricopa County. They don't have any money in "predictive markets", but Pete, Royal, Tom, and Dan predict how the monsoon is going to go for the rest of the season. Will we see more Haboobs and how will the "Super" El Niño impact the monsoon in August and September?

Arizona State University's data centers & heat study went viral when it was released in May 18, 2026. First Alert Meteorologist Royal Norman talks to study author David Sailor about how they got their findings driving around Phoenix neighborhoods. They also break down why data centers use so much heat and some possible solutions on how to use that heat for good. 

ASU Water Law Professor Rhett Larson tells First Alert Meteorologist Royal Norman how safe it is to drink treated wastewater and why Arizonans shouldn't panic about water issues. They also discuss how the Colorado Water Compact fell apart and why states are fighting over their supply. And, can Arizona benefit from desalination in San Diego? 

Doing the weather on TV might seem simple, but for students just starting out, it’s anything but. Marisa Ferger sits down with First Alert Meteorologist Pete Mangione to explain how mastering this craft takes dedication, practice, and plenty of hard work.

Arizona offers some of the most majestic lightning pictures in the world. But it is also important to stay safe when snapping those beautiful pictures. We talked with two experts, including an author who wrote a book about Arizona lightning.

Summer is just around the corner and before it gets too hot in Arizona, we are speaking with Josh Coddington of the Arizona Office of Tourism about some outdoor bucket list items you have to check out!

Play ball! We talk with Surprise Head Field Manager Eric Roberts about getting the baseball fields ready for Spring Training. He also gives us tips on how to keep your grass green in this desert climate.

Meteorologist April Warnecke and Sports Director Mark McClune chat with PGA Meteorologist Wade Stettner about his unique career and what it's like to forecast for the WM Phoenix Open. 

With the largest crowds on the PGA Tour, the WM Phoenix Open is known as the place to see and be seen, part party and part sporting event. But with those massive crowds, how did it become a zero-waste event? First Alert Meteorologist Sean McLaughlin goes in depth with David Brannon, the Four Corners VP of the tournament’s title sponsor WM, the environmental solutions company that has turned the event into the "Greenest Show on Grass.”

Climate change can impact snowfall and the length of the winter season. Dr. Elizabeth Burakowski from the University of New Hampshire joins Pete Mangione to discuss how this affects skiing and the winter economy. 

Abundant fall rains and hints at a decent winter rainy season have wildflower hunters hoping for a big spring bloom. Angelica Elliott from the Desert Botanical Garden is on the Sonoran Sky First Alert Podcast, and she told Royal Norman, things are looking good!

The Valley of the Sun mostly sparkles year-round with endless blue skies, but around the holidays the dreaded “brown cloud” returns year after year threatening to spoil our views and our health. First Alert Meteorologist Sean McLaughlin goes in-depth with a communications specialist from Maricopa County’s Air Quality department to break down the reasons behind our dirty air. From our topography and winter weather patterns to that cozy, backyard fire pit and a few fireworks combined, can almost instantly pollute your own neighborhood’s air quality to dangerous levels. 

You’ll hear a lot in the media that wildfire season in Arizona is all year long. That’s not the case, according to Arizona State Foresty Management Officer John Truitt. He shared his view on the Sonoran Sky Podcast with meteorologist Royal Norman.

From reporting hard news to forecasting the weather, Holly Bock has done it all at Arizona's Family! Holly discusses the similarities and differences between telling a news story versus a weather story. 

With less than a year to go, the Colorado River states have yet to renew an agreement how to divide this great resource of the Southwest. In a new Sonoran Sky podcast, Meteorologist Royal Norman talked with Sarah Porter, the Director of the Kyl Center for Water Policy, about how time is growing short to get a agreement.

The San Pedro River is in southern Arizona, flowing north out of Mexico past Sierra Vista and For Huachuca. In recent years, the San Pedro has come under tremendous pressure due to drought and increased usage of the ground water in the area.  The river’s flows are trending drier. On this week’s Sonoran Sky podcast, Meteorologist Royal Norman talked with Kim Schonek of The Nature Conservancy who is optimistic that the river can be saved.

Mike Nelson is a highly respected retired broadcast meteorologist. He envisions a future with something he calls The Great American SuperGrid that transmits renewable energy around the country, and he joined Sonoran Sky to discuss the endeavor with Pete Mangione.

Snow skiing is a part of the allure of Arizona for almost 90 years. Since 1938, folks have headed up to Flagstaff to ski on the state’s highest peak, which happens to be a dormant volcano! On this edition of Sonoran Sky, First Alert Meteorologist Sean McLaughlin takes you through the upcoming ski season, from enhanced snowmaking to something called tree glading, it’s everything you need to know before heading up to the southernmost major ski resort in the continental U.S.!  

"You said it was going to rain at my house and it didn't. Imagine getting paid to be getting wrong!" We hear it all from viewers from reasonable complaints to downright ridiculousness. April Warnecke and Ian  Schwartz chat about some misconceptions in the weather biz. 

In this week's episode of Sonoran Sky, we talk about the best spots across the state of Arizona to see the leaves change colors in the beautiful reds and yellows. But you have to go soon, before it's too late! We're joined by Josh Coddington, the Director of Communications for the Arizona Office of Tourism, who shares details on the best spots all across the state, from northern, to eastern, and southern Arizona, and the hidden gems in between.

Known by many names of the years, the Arizona monsoon is one thing: unpredictable. But it’s that mystery that drove Dr. Jonny Malloy to write the book called North American Monsoon. On the Sonoran Sky Podcast, Meteorologist Royal Norman tells us Malloy’s book is accessible to all.

The forecast is in. A strong La Nina pattern is setting up in the Pacific. It’s a stretch of cold water along the surface of the ocean. Shel Winkley of Climate Central joined the Sonoran Sky Podcast and told Chief Meteorologist Royal Norman that this is big news for Arizona and cold result in a dry winter ahead.

Join us as Holly Bock interviews the legendary Royal Norman about Arizona’s unique weather, the evolution of the monsoon, dust storms (and haboobs!), and the challenges of forecasting in the desert. Get behind-the-scenes stories, expert insights, and practical tips for staying safe during monsoon season.