All Countries
Weather & Climate in Benson, AZ
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Benson enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 46°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. The area gets 330 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Annual precipitation totals 11.8 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 45. The city sits at an elevation of 4,249 feet.
Temperature
46°F Jan (8°C)
82°F Jul (28°C)
| Annual Average | 63.3°F |
| 17% above US avg | |
| January Average | 46°F (8°C) |
| July Average | 82°F (28°C) |
| Sunny Days | 330 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 4,249 ft (1,295 m) |
| Area | 41.6 sq mi (107.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 128/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 31.9145°N, 110.3286°W |
| Timezone | America/Phoenix |
| County | Santa Cruz County County |
| Nearest Airport | Tucson International (TUS) 38 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 45.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 88.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 92.3 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 2.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively High |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively High |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | No Rating |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
52 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.3.
| Jun 29, 2014 | 13 km SW of Franklin, Arizona | M5.3 | 132 km | 6 km |
| Oct 16, 1999 | 10 km ESE of Imuris, Mexico | M4.5 | 135 km | 5 km |
| Jun 29, 2014 | 12 km S of Franklin, Arizona | M4.0 | 136 km | 5 km |
| Jul 3, 2014 | 11 km S of Franklin, Arizona | M3.9 | 138 km | 5 km |
| Jul 9, 2014 | 13 km S of Franklin, Arizona | M3.6 | 137 km | 5 km |
| Jul 12, 2014 | 17 km S of Franklin, Arizona | M3.6 | 134 km | 5 km |
| Jul 11, 2014 | 5 km WSW of Franklin, Arizona | M3.6 | 140 km | 5 km |
| Jun 29, 2014 | 16 km SSW of Franklin, Arizona | M3.6 | 131 km | 5 km |
| Jul 10, 2014 | 16 km S of Franklin, Arizona | M3.6 | 134 km | 5 km |
| Apr 22, 2020 | 28 km SSW of Rodeo, New Mexico | M3.5 | 121 km | 21 km |
| Jun 30, 2014 | 19 km SSW of Franklin, Arizona | M3.5 | 130 km | 5 km |
| Jun 29, 2014 | 14 km S of Franklin, Arizona | M3.5 | 139 km | 5 km |
| Jul 11, 2014 | 12 km SSW of Franklin, Arizona | M3.5 | 134 km | 5 km |
| Jul 6, 2014 | Arizona | M3.5 | 132 km | 5 km |
| Apr 27, 2019 | 2 km WSW of Franklin, Arizona | M3.4 | 143 km | 10 km |
| Jan 25, 2015 | 9 km S of Franklin, Arizona | M3.4 | 141 km | 5 km |
| Jun 29, 2014 | 10 km SW of Franklin, Arizona | M3.4 | 135 km | 5 km |
| Jun 29, 2014 | 10 km SSW of Franklin, Arizona | M3.3 | 137 km | 5 km |
| Jul 11, 2014 | 6 km SSW of Franklin, Arizona | M3.3 | 139 km | 5 km |
| Oct 3, 2023 | 3 km WSW of Franklin, Arizona | M3.3 | 142 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
39 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 3 fatalities, 58 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jul 28, 1994 | EF2 | 83 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 27, 1964 | EF2 | 73 km | 0.1 mi | 2 |
| Jul 2, 2024 | EF1 | 54 km | 3.3 mi | 0 |
| Sep 23, 2019 | EF1 | 57 km | 1.7 mi | 0 |
| Jul 6, 1992 | EF1 | 67 km | 2.8 mi | 0 |
| Jul 16, 1984 | EF1 | 79 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 16, 1984 | EF1 | 59 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Oct 23, 1974 | EF1 | 97 km | 4.7 mi | 0 |
| Jun 23, 1974 | EF1 | 70 km | 1.0 mi | 1 |
| Sep 1, 1971 | EF1 | 40 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 17, 1971 | EF1 | 60 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 16, 1971 | EF1 | 41 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 16, 1969 | EF1 | 61 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 28, 1966 | EF1 | 71 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 27, 1961 | EF1 | 58 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 25, 2022 | EF0 | 57 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 10, 2019 | EF0 | 96 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 29, 2017 | EF0 | 17 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 22, 2015 | EF0 | 14 km | 0.6 mi | 0 |
| Aug 29, 2015 | EF0 | 46 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: HORSESHOE 2 (226,079 acres, 2011).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2011 | HORSESHOE 2 | 226,079 | 99 km |
| 2020 | BIGHORN | 126,131 | 70 km |
| 2003 | ASPEN | 79,707 | 72 km |
| 2011 | MURPHY COMPLEX | 64,407 | 90 km |
| 2017 | FRYE | 54,202 | 99 km |
| 2017 | SAWMILL | 47,357 | 35 km |
| 2002 | RYAN | 36,922 | 41 km |
| 2004 | NUTALL COMPLEX (NUTALL) | 31,880 | 98 km |
| 2002 | BULLOCK | 31,774 | 65 km |
| 2011 | MONUMENT | 30,219 | 58 km |
| 2017 | BURRO | 26,852 | 58 km |
| 2009 | GREASEWOOD | 24,902 | 85 km |
| 1993 | MARKHAM | 24,636 | 65 km |
| 2012 | GRAPEVINE | 17,542 | 84 km |
| 2002 | WALKER | 17,438 | 94 km |
| 2022 | TONTO CANYON | 16,989 | 98 km |
| 2005 | FLORIDA | 16,362 | 52 km |
| 2011 | BULL | 16,339 | 95 km |
| 1988 | PEAK | 16,078 | 62 km |
| 2017 | LIZARD | 15,791 | 32 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 46°F (8°C) | 0.9 in | Coldest |
| February | 50°F (10°C) | 0.6 in | |
| March | 55°F (13°C) | 0.6 in | |
| April | 61°F (16°C) | 0.3 in | |
| May | 69°F (20°C) | 0.2 in | Driest |
| June | 78°F (25°C) | 0.4 in | |
| July | 82°F (28°C) | 3.4 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 79°F (26°C) | 3.2 in | |
| September | 74°F (23°C) | 1.5 in | |
| October | 64°F (18°C) | 1.0 in | |
| November | 53°F (12°C) | 0.6 in | |
| December | 47°F (8°C) | 1.1 in |
Benson has a seasonal temperature swing of 36°F / from 46°F in January to 82°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 13.6 inches, with July being the wettest month (3.4") and May the driest (0.2").