Weather Tidbits: Monsoon Formation

How a monsoon forms is the main headline of this Weather Tidbits. A monsoon wind setup is common in the United States for the Desert Southwest but also parts of Florida. In the winter, the land temperature is cooler than the ocean temperature; with cool air sinking on land and dry air blowing out towards the ocean.  Ocean waters add warmth and moisture with warm air rising in the water; which leads to rain forming offshore with low pressure on the water and high pressure on land. When spring or summer arrive, the ocean temperature is now cooler than the land with cool air sinking in the water. Ocean waters add moisture rising warm air on land; leading to rain forming onshore. This creates a reversed setup with low pressure on land and high pressure on water.