What in the world is a monsoon?

Have you ever wondered what exactly is a monsoon? They're more than just thunderstorms. Monsoons are actually a weather pattern.

"The word monsoon actually originates from the Arabic word mawsim meaning season," according to AccuWeather. "In particular, it refers to the season winds shift and cause thunderstorms."

Monsoon thunderstorms generally start with heavy rain but can also lift up a visible wall of dust hundreds of feet high. After the dust storms comes thunder, lightning and heavy rain.

Some of the dangers of monsoon season include the possibility of flash floods, downburst winds, lightning and wildfires, according to AccuWeather.