As the monsoon kicks into high gear across the Desert Southwest each summer, it sometimes gets a bit of a surge of moisture. This monsoon surge is a sudden influx of tropical moisture that pours into the region from either a tropical system nearby or another weather feature that helps fuel more thunderstorm activity, heavy downpours and, sometimes, dramatic dust storms.

While the word "monsoon" often brings to mind rain-soaked landscapes in South Asia, the North American Monsoon, also called the Southwest Monsoon, is a real and powerful seasonal shift that impacts parts of Arizona, New Mexico and surrounding states.

During a monsoon surge, winds shift to bring moisture-rich air from the Gulf of California and the eastern Pacific into the region. This increase in atmospheric moisture, paired with daytime heating, creates the perfect setup for intense afternoon and evening thunderstorms.

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These surges can transform the landscape in a matter of hours, turning sandy, dry areas into raging rivers. Desert soil struggles to absorb the rainfall; therefore, just a small amount of rain can result in extreme flooding.

The monsoon season often comes with risks. Flash flooding, dangerous lightning and microbursts can develop quickly. And in some cases, gusty outflow winds can kick up haboobs, which are massive dust storms that reduce visibility to near zero.

For communities in the Southwest, tracking the timing and strength of a monsoon surge can mean the difference between a safe summer day and a dangerous weather event.

Jennifer Gray is a weather and climate writer for weather.com. She has been covering some of the world's biggest weather and climate stories for the last two decades.