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Weather & Climate in Clifton, AZ
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Clifton enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 67°F (20°C). Winters average 48°F in January while summers reach 87°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 17.0 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 4,237 feet.
Temperature
48°F Jan (9°C)
87°F Jul (31°C)
| Annual Average | 67.3°F |
| 25% above US avg | |
| January Average | 48°F (9°C) |
| July Average | 87°F (31°C) |
| Sunny Days | 330 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 4,237 ft (1,291 m) |
| Area | 14.8 sq mi (38.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 262/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 33.0296°N, 109.2840°W |
| Timezone | America/Phoenix |
| County | Greenlee County County |
| Nearest Airport | Safford Regional (SAD) 24 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 45.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 12.4 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 37.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 22.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
59 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 | 51 km | 6 km |
| Jun 29, 2014 | 12 km S of Franklin, Arizona | M4.0 | 55 km | 5 km |
| Jul 3, 2014 | 11 km S of Franklin, Arizona | M3.9 | 54 km | 5 km |
| Jul 11, 2014 | 5 km WSW of Franklin, Arizona | M3.6 | 44 km | 5 km |
| Jul 10, 2014 | 16 km S of Franklin, Arizona | M3.6 | 58 km | 5 km |
| Jun 29, 2014 | 16 km SSW of Franklin, Arizona | M3.6 | 56 km | 5 km |
| Jul 12, 2014 | 17 km S of Franklin, Arizona | M3.6 | 59 km | 5 km |
| Oct 8, 2012 | 32 km WNW of Glenwood, New Mexico | M3.6 | 41 km | 5 km |
| May 24, 2010 | 27 km NNE of Morenci, Arizona | M3.6 | 30 km | 5 km |
| May 24, 2010 | 24 km NNE of Morenci, Arizona | M3.6 | 27 km | 5 km |
| Jul 9, 2014 | 13 km S of Franklin, Arizona | M3.6 | 56 km | 5 km |
| Jun 30, 2014 | 19 km SSW of Franklin, Arizona | M3.5 | 60 km | 5 km |
| Oct 29, 2012 | 35 km WNW of Glenwood, New Mexico | M3.5 | 42 km | 5 km |
| Jul 6, 2014 | Arizona | M3.5 | 53 km | 5 km |
| Jul 11, 2014 | 12 km SSW of Franklin, Arizona | M3.5 | 52 km | 5 km |
| Jun 29, 2014 | 14 km S of Franklin, Arizona | M3.5 | 57 km | 5 km |
| Jun 29, 2014 | 10 km SW of Franklin, Arizona | M3.4 | 48 km | 5 km |
| Jan 25, 2015 | 9 km S of Franklin, Arizona | M3.4 | 52 km | 5 km |
| Apr 27, 2019 | 2 km WSW of Franklin, Arizona | M3.4 | 44 km | 10 km |
| Feb 16, 2013 | 34 km WNW of Glenwood, New Mexico | M3.3 | 44 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
8 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF1.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Aug 13, 1989 | EF1 | 91 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Aug 19, 1979 | EF1 | 99 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1967 | EF1 | 98 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 31, 2015 | EF0 | 44 km | 0.6 mi | 0 |
| Sep 3, 2008 | EF0 | 92 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Sep 6, 2007 | EF0 | 85 km | 3.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 30, 2006 | EF0 | 92 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 17, 1992 | EF0 | 85 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Red Hill (142 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Red Hill | Volcanic field | 2,300 m (7,546 ft) | -9450 | 142 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: WALLOW (563,664 acres, 2011).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2011 | WALLOW | 563,664 | 86 km |
| 2012 | WHITEWATER-BALDY | 306,923 | 74 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 151,684 | 66 km |
| 2003 | DRY LAKE COMPLEX (DRY LAKES) | 113,956 | 82 km |
| 2021 | JOHNSON | 95,808 | 78 km |
| 2011 | MILLER | 84,760 | 91 km |
| 2014 | SKUNK | 73,774 | 85 km |
| 2017 | FRYE | 54,202 | 65 km |
| 1993 | BRUSH | 39,349 | 83 km |
| 2002 | MIDDLE | 37,096 | 94 km |
| 2021 | PINNACLE | 35,281 | 88 km |
| 2006 | BEAR | 34,703 | 80 km |
| 2020 | COW CANYON | 33,536 | 60 km |
| 2004 | NUTALL COMPLEX (NUTALL) | 31,880 | 66 km |
| 2018 | RATTLESNAKE | 27,383 | 68 km |
| 2020 | BLUE RIVER 2 | 26,885 | 99 km |
| 2009 | GREASEWOOD | 24,902 | 73 km |
| 2020 | CUB | 24,489 | 80 km |
| 2021 | BEAR | 24,459 | 51 km |
| 2020 | BRINGHAM | 23,134 | 46 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 48°F (9°C) | 1.2 in | |
| February | 46°F (8°C) | 1.0 in | |
| March | 50°F (10°C) | 1.0 in | |
| April | 56°F (14°C) | 0.4 in | Driest |
| May | 65°F (18°C) | 0.4 in | |
| June | 74°F (23°C) | 0.5 in | |
| July | 87°F (31°C) | 2.7 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 77°F (25°C) | 2.6 in | |
| September | 72°F (22°C) | 1.9 in | |
| October | 62°F (17°C) | 1.4 in | |
| November | 50°F (10°C) | 1.0 in | |
| December | 43°F (6°C) | 1.6 in | Coldest |
Clifton has a seasonal temperature swing of 44°F / from 43°F in December to 87°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 15.7 inches, with July being the wettest month (2.7") and April the driest (0.4").