Weather & Climate in Cottonwood, AZ

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Cottonwood 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 6,070 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	6,070 ft (1,850 m)
Area	0.1 sq mi (0.4 km²)
Population Density	78,419/sq mi
Coordinates	36.0722°N, 109.8901°W
Timezone	America/Phoenix
County	Apache County County
Nearest Airport	Winslow-Lindbergh Regional (INW) 86 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 8.8"

77% below US avg

Snowfall 4.9"

Wettest Month (Aug) 1.54"

Driest Month (Jun) 0.31"

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

23 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.9.

Jan 6, 1998	15 km WSW of Joseph City, Arizona	M3.9	140 km	5 km
Apr 22, 2017	4 km SSW of Bluff, Utah	M3.7	134 km	9 km
Jun 6, 2008	10 km NE of Bluff, Utah	M3.6	148 km	12 km
Mar 1, 2025	6 km SE of Moenkopi, Arizona	M3.4	116 km	12 km
Oct 18, 1998	14 km SE of Moenkopi, Arizona	M3.4	108 km	5 km
Jun 25, 1991	10 km W of Oljato-Monument Valley, Utah	M3.4	114 km	0 km
Jul 13, 2009	3 km SE of Navajo Mountain, Utah	M3.3	129 km	3 km
Jul 4, 2007	9 km S of Moenkopi, Arizona	M3.2	119 km	5 km
Jul 4, 2021	24 km SW of Lake Valley, New Mexico	M3.1	137 km	5 km
Jul 15, 1992	26 km NNW of Mexican Hat, Utah	M3.0	144 km	5 km
May 20, 1994	0 km SSE of Oljato-Monument Valley, Utah	M3.0	111 km	-1 km
Sep 13, 1996	10 km NW of Kayenta, Arizona	M2.9	89 km	2 km
Sep 22, 1992	15 km NW of Oljato-Monument Valley, Utah	M2.8	126 km	0 km
Jun 10, 2020	5 km WNW of Tsaile, Arizona	M2.8	62 km	14 km
Mar 8, 1994	15 km NW of Kayenta, Arizona	M2.8	95 km	-3 km
May 20, 1994	8 km NNW of Kayenta, Arizona	M2.7	89 km	-2 km
Sep 23, 1995	4 km E of Teec Nos Pos, Arizona	M2.7	122 km	8 km
Mar 6, 2023	17 km ENE of Chilchinbito, Arizona	M2.6	56 km	13 km
Aug 26, 2024	8 km S of Rough Rock, Arizona	M2.6	29 km	5 km
Sep 7, 2014	4 km WSW of Sun Valley, Arizona	M2.6	124 km	5 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

12 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF0.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Sep 13, 2022	EF0	86 km	7.7 mi	0
Jun 16, 2021	EF0	86 km	0.1 mi	0
Oct 20, 2015	EF0	48 km	6.9 mi	0
Oct 21, 2010	EF0	9 km	0.8 mi	0
Aug 3, 2010	EF0	32 km	1.0 mi	0
Oct 18, 2005	EF0	71 km	30.0 mi	0
Oct 3, 2003	EF0	55 km	0.1 mi	0
Sep 9, 2003	EF0	81 km	1.0 mi	0
May 25, 1996	EF0	72 km	0.1 mi	0
May 25, 1996	EF0	80 km	0.1 mi	0
Oct 17, 1962	EF0	56 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 29, 1957	EF0	87 km	2.5 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: San Francisco Volcanic Field (180 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
San Francisco Volcanic Field	Pyroclastic cone	3,850 m (12,631 ft)	1075	180 km

Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

15 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	55 km
2014	ASSAYII LAKE	13,176	94 km
2005	LITTLE WATER1	4,342	96 km
2005	HOOK LAKE	3,609	85 km
2009	SAWMILL ROAD RX	3,411	66 km
2004	TURKEY SPRING	3,017	62 km
2007	OAK RIDGE 3	2,959	74 km
2004	SANDSPRING	2,935	93 km
2010	FLUTED ROCK LAKE RX	2,630	64 km
2006	KINLICHEE CANYON 1	2,283	71 km
2005	KINLICHEE	1,949	73 km
2011	CATTAIL CANYON JACKPOT BURN	1,801	66 km
2006	KINLICHEE 2	1,738	60 km
2001	9400 FMZ	1,312	58 km
2005	OAK RIDGE	1,309	80 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	31°F (-0°C)	0.8 in
February	35°F (2°C)	0.8 in
March	41°F (5°C)	0.9 in
April	48°F (9°C)	0.6 in
May	57°F (14°C)	0.4 in
June	67°F (20°C)	0.3 in	Driest
July	77°F (25°C)	1.3 in	Warmest
August	71°F (22°C)	1.5 in	Wettest
September	64°F (18°C)	1.1 in
October	53°F (12°C)	1.1 in
November	41°F (5°C)	0.9 in
December	31°F (-0°C)	0.9 in	Coldest

Cottonwood has a seasonal temperature swing of 45°F / from 31°F in December to 77°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 10.7 inches, with August being the wettest month (1.5") and June the driest (0.3").

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