Approaching from the north, a monsoon moves towards Phoenix, Arizona. Late in the afternoon, the winds kicked up from the south and the clouds began to thicken and cover the sky. Long before the rain was seen, it was smelled. It took a few more hours before we would be hit by a ferocious downpour, followed by a spectacular lightning display that spidered and arched across the skies, illuminating the night for what seemed to be seconds at a time instead of the usual quick bolt, flash, and thunderous roar.