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Weather & Climate in Chinle, AZ
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Chinle experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 77°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 8.8 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 4.9 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 45. The city sits at an elevation of 5,501 feet.
Temperature
31°F Jan (-0°C)
77°F Jul (25°C)
| Annual Average | 53.5°F |
| 1% below US avg | |
| January Average | 31°F (-0°C) |
| July Average | 77°F (25°C) |
| Sunny Days | 330 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 5,501 ft (1,677 m) |
| Area | 16.1 sq mi (41.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 270/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 36.1511°N, 109.5787°W |
| Timezone | America/Phoenix |
| County | Apache County County |
| Nearest Airport | Four Corners Regional (FMN) 85 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 45.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 78.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 99.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 0.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively High |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Very High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
22 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.7.
| Apr 22, 2017 | 4 km SSW of Bluff, Utah | M3.7 | 122 km | 9 km |
| Jun 6, 2008 | 10 km NE of Bluff, Utah | M3.6 | 134 km | 12 km |
| Mar 1, 2025 | 6 km SE of Moenkopi, Arizona | M3.4 | 144 km | 12 km |
| Oct 18, 1998 | 14 km SE of Moenkopi, Arizona | M3.4 | 137 km | 5 km |
| Jun 25, 1991 | 10 km W of Oljato-Monument Valley, Utah | M3.4 | 120 km | 0 km |
| Jul 13, 2009 | 3 km SE of Navajo Mountain, Utah | M3.3 | 142 km | 3 km |
| Jul 4, 2007 | 9 km S of Moenkopi, Arizona | M3.2 | 147 km | 5 km |
| Jul 4, 2021 | 24 km SW of Lake Valley, New Mexico | M3.1 | 110 km | 5 km |
| Jul 15, 1992 | 26 km NNW of Mexican Hat, Utah | M3.0 | 140 km | 5 km |
| May 20, 1994 | 0 km SSE of Oljato-Monument Valley, Utah | M3.0 | 114 km | -1 km |
| Sep 13, 1996 | 10 km NW of Kayenta, Arizona | M2.9 | 98 km | 2 km |
| Sep 22, 1992 | 15 km NW of Oljato-Monument Valley, Utah | M2.8 | 130 km | 0 km |
| Jun 10, 2020 | 5 km WNW of Tsaile, Arizona | M2.8 | 33 km | 14 km |
| Mar 8, 1994 | 15 km NW of Kayenta, Arizona | M2.8 | 104 km | -3 km |
| May 20, 1994 | 8 km NNW of Kayenta, Arizona | M2.7 | 97 km | -2 km |
| Sep 23, 1995 | 4 km E of Teec Nos Pos, Arizona | M2.7 | 99 km | 8 km |
| May 20, 2024 | 11 km WNW of Ramah, New Mexico | M2.6 | 141 km | 11 km |
| Aug 26, 2024 | 8 km S of Rough Rock, Arizona | M2.6 | 34 km | 5 km |
| Mar 6, 2023 | 17 km ENE of Chilchinbito, Arizona | M2.6 | 55 km | 13 km |
| Sep 7, 2014 | 4 km WSW of Sun Valley, Arizona | M2.6 | 140 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
10 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF0.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Sep 13, 2022 | EF0 | 80 km | 7.7 mi | 0 |
| Oct 20, 2015 | EF0 | 58 km | 6.9 mi | 0 |
| Oct 21, 2010 | EF0 | 24 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Aug 3, 2010 | EF0 | 13 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 3, 2003 | EF0 | 76 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 9, 2003 | EF0 | 82 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| May 25, 1996 | EF0 | 100 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 25, 1996 | EF0 | 88 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Oct 17, 1962 | EF0 | 66 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 29, 1957 | EF0 | 81 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
16 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: WOOD SPRINGS 2 (13,208 acres, 2020).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2020 | WOOD SPRINGS 2 | 13,208 | 37 km |
| 2014 | ASSAYII LAKE | 13,176 | 67 km |
| 2005 | LITTLE WATER1 | 4,342 | 70 km |
| 2002 | CARRIZO 1 | 3,701 | 84 km |
| 2005 | HOOK LAKE | 3,609 | 56 km |
| 2009 | SAWMILL ROAD RX | 3,411 | 48 km |
| 2004 | TURKEY SPRING | 3,017 | 34 km |
| 2007 | OAK RIDGE 3 | 2,959 | 70 km |
| 2004 | SANDSPRING | 2,935 | 66 km |
| 2010 | FLUTED ROCK LAKE RX | 2,630 | 43 km |
| 2006 | KINLICHEE CANYON 1 | 2,283 | 56 km |
| 2005 | KINLICHEE | 1,949 | 59 km |
| 2011 | CATTAIL CANYON JACKPOT BURN | 1,801 | 40 km |
| 2006 | KINLICHEE 2 | 1,738 | 52 km |
| 2001 | 9400 FMZ | 1,312 | 38 km |
| 2005 | OAK RIDGE | 1,309 | 68 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 31°F (-0°C) | 0.7 in | Coldest |
| February | 37°F (3°C) | 0.6 in | |
| March | 44°F (6°C) | 0.8 in | |
| April | 51°F (10°C) | 0.6 in | |
| May | 60°F (15°C) | 0.5 in | |
| June | 70°F (21°C) | 0.3 in | Driest |
| July | 77°F (25°C) | 1.1 in | Warmest |
| August | 74°F (23°C) | 1.3 in | Wettest |
| September | 66°F (19°C) | 0.9 in | |
| October | 54°F (12°C) | 1.1 in | |
| November | 42°F (6°C) | 0.8 in | |
| December | 32°F (0°C) | 0.7 in |
Chinle has a seasonal temperature swing of 45°F / from 31°F in January to 77°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 9.2 inches, with August being the wettest month (1.3") and June the driest (0.3").