Weather & Climate in Elephant Head, AZ

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

Elephant Head enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 65°F (19°C). Winters average 50°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. The area gets 328 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 20.7 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 3,107 feet.

Temperature

50°F Jan (10°C) 80°F Jul (27°C)

Annual Average	65.3°F
	21% above US avg
January Average	50°F (10°C)
July Average	80°F (27°C)
Sunny Days	328 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	3,107 ft (947 m)
Area	7.4 sq mi (19.2 km²)
Population Density	79/sq mi
Coordinates	31.7668°N, 110.9913°W
Timezone	America/Phoenix
County	Santa Cruz County County
Nearest Airport	Tucson International (TUS) 24 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 20.7"

46% below US avg

Wettest Month (Jul) 4.41"

Driest Month (May) 0.24"

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

3 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.5.

Oct 16, 1999	10 km ESE of Imuris, Mexico	M4.5	115 km	5 km
Sep 28, 2023	21 km E of Tanque Verde, Arizona	M3.1	68 km	12 km
Aug 9, 2025	14 km ENE of Willow Canyon, Arizona	M2.6	85 km	12 km

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

Tornado History

33 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 3 fatalities, 55 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jul 28, 1994	EF2	68 km	2.0 mi	0
Aug 27, 1964	EF2	48 km	0.1 mi	2
Jul 2, 2024	EF1	43 km	3.3 mi	0
Jul 6, 1992	EF1	52 km	2.8 mi	0
Aug 24, 1991	EF1	77 km	1.0 mi	0
Jul 16, 1984	EF1	46 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 16, 1984	EF1	35 km	0.1 mi	0
Dec 23, 1975	EF1	51 km	2.0 mi	0
Jun 23, 1974	EF1	39 km	1.0 mi	1
Sep 1, 1971	EF1	67 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 16, 1971	EF1	70 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 16, 1969	EF1	18 km	1.0 mi	0
Jul 27, 1961	EF1	38 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 13, 2023	EF0	70 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 25, 2022	EF0	41 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 10, 2019	EF0	50 km	0.2 mi	0
Jul 29, 2017	EF0	75 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 14, 2017	EF0	78 km	0.1 mi	0
Sep 22, 2015	EF0	79 km	0.6 mi	0
Aug 29, 2015	EF0	39 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: BIGHORN (126,131 acres, 2020).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2020	BIGHORN	126,131	79 km
2003	ASPEN	79,707	77 km
2011	MURPHY COMPLEX	64,407	36 km
2017	SAWMILL	47,357	29 km
2002	RYAN	36,922	51 km
2002	BULLOCK	31,774	79 km
2022	CONTRERAS	31,297	60 km
2011	MONUMENT	30,219	82 km
2017	BURRO	26,852	77 km
1993	MARKHAM	24,636	99 km
2009	ELK HORN	22,745	54 km
2002	WALKER	17,438	47 km
2022	TONTO CANYON	16,989	46 km
2005	FLORIDA	16,362	16 km
2011	BULL	16,339	49 km
1988	PEAK	16,078	83 km
2017	LIZARD	15,791	96 km
2016	BROWN	15,681	54 km
1994	RINCON	15,472	64 km
2020	ENCINOS	14,145	61 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	50°F (10°C)	1.4 in
February	50°F (10°C)	1.2 in
March	54°F (12°C)	1.3 in
April	60°F (15°C)	0.5 in
May	67°F (20°C)	0.2 in	Driest
June	76°F (25°C)	0.5 in
July	80°F (27°C)	4.4 in	Warmest, Wettest
August	77°F (25°C)	3.7 in
September	74°F (23°C)	2.2 in
October	66°F (19°C)	1.5 in
November	55°F (13°C)	1.0 in
December	49°F (9°C)	1.9 in	Coldest

Elephant Head has a seasonal temperature swing of 31°F / from 49°F in December to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 19.9 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.4") and May the driest (0.2").

View full profile of Elephant Head, AZ →