Predict the monsoon season with this fantasy forecasting game

What's happening: For the third consecutive year, researchers at UofA's Institute for Resilience are inviting the public to compete in its Southwest Monsoon Fantasy Forecasts game.

How it works: Players estimate the total monthly precipitation in each of the five major cities in the Southwest Monsoon region: Phoenix, Tucson, Flagstaff, Albuquerque and El Paso.

• Points are awarded each month based on the accuracy and riskiness of the July, August and September predictions.
• The top finisher at the end of the season gets a $400 Amazon gift card.

Zoom in: Arizona Institute for Resilience assistant professor Zack Guido said the game aims to push people to learn more about climate.

• He said in a press statement climate is too often talked about in "gloomy, apocalyptic ways." Fantasy forecasting promotes a fun and hopeful perspective.

By the numbers: Half of the players interviewed by researchers after the game's first year said they began paying more attention to forecasts because of the game.