Weather & Climate in Forest Lakes, AZ

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

Forest Lakes experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 69°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 18.4 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 7,583 feet.

Temperature

33°F Jan (0°C) 69°F Jul (21°C)

Annual Average	50.2°F
	7% below US avg
January Average	33°F (0°C)
July Average	69°F (21°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	7,583 ft (2,311 m)
Area	1.9 sq mi (4.9 km²)
Population Density	21/sq mi
Coordinates	34.3299°N, 110.8107°W
Timezone	America/Phoenix
County	Gila County County
Nearest Airport	Show Low Regional (SOW) 46 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 18.4"

52% below US avg

Wettest Month (Aug) 3.54"

Driest Month (Jun) 0.43"

Air Quality

AQI Median	45.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	90.2 / 100
Social Vulnerability	86.7 / 100
Community Resilience	6.4 / 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 Moderate
Winter Weather	Relatively High
Lightning	Relatively High
Drought	Very 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

47 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.1.

Mar 2, 2005	40 km SSW of Winslow West, Arizona	M5.1	45 km	5 km
Jan 30, 2005	41 km NNE of Washington Park, Arizona	M4.0	54 km	5 km
Jan 6, 1998	15 km WSW of Joseph City, Arizona	M3.9	71 km	5 km
Jan 28, 2005	40 km NE of Washington Park, Arizona	M3.8	46 km	5 km
Mar 18, 2011	7 km NNW of Clarkdale, Arizona	M3.8	130 km	5 km
Feb 8, 2005	37 km NE of Washington Park, Arizona	M3.6	44 km	5 km
Jan 23, 2011	7 km NNW of Clarkdale, Arizona	M3.6	130 km	5 km
Nov 13, 1991	5 km NW of Prescott Valley, Arizona	M3.5	146 km	5 km
Jul 1, 2005	23 km NE of Washington Park, Arizona	M3.4	38 km	5 km
Apr 7, 2021	4 km ESE of Flagstaff, Arizona	M3.3	119 km	5 km
Jul 1, 2005	37 km NE of Washington Park, Arizona	M3.2	42 km	5 km
Mar 18, 2025	13 km NNE of Clay Springs, Arizona	M3.2	54 km	5 km
Jan 8, 2012	28 km SW of Winslow West, Arizona	M3.2	57 km	5 km
May 5, 2015	6 km W of Munds Park, Arizona	M3.1	108 km	7 km
Sep 23, 2019	22 km NNW of Saint Johns, Arizona	M3.1	134 km	5 km
May 9, 2009	11 km SSW of Cordes Lakes, Arizona	M3.1	123 km	5 km
Jun 25, 2010	8 km SW of Roosevelt, Arizona	M3.1	88 km	5 km
Feb 19, 2025	0 km SW of Christopher Creek, Arizona	M3.0	19 km	11 km
Jun 18, 2022	4 km SW of Clay Springs, Arizona	M3.0	44 km	10 km
Jun 17, 2014	17 km SSE of Williams, Arizona	M3.0	146 km	10 km

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

Tornado History

26 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF1.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Nov 19, 2023	EF1	43 km	2.4 mi	0
Jul 10, 2021	EF1	56 km	1.3 mi	0
Oct 6, 2010	EF1	47 km	14.1 mi	0
Oct 17, 1962	EF1	21 km	2.0 mi	0
Jul 26, 2024	EF0	56 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 7, 2024	EF0	81 km	1.0 mi	0
Sep 13, 2022	EF0	83 km	0.1 mi	0
Oct 21, 2018	EF0	87 km	1.7 mi	0
Jul 15, 2013	EF0	78 km	0.1 mi	0
Sep 1, 2011	EF0	87 km	1.2 mi	0
Jul 24, 2011	EF0	70 km	1.0 mi	0
Sep 29, 2004	EF0	79 km	3.0 mi	0
Sep 4, 2004	EF0	29 km	1.0 mi	0
Aug 15, 2003	EF0	22 km	—	0
Aug 14, 2003	EF0	99 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 17, 2003	EF0	79 km	0.5 mi	0
Sep 16, 2001	EF0	70 km	1.0 mi	0
Sep 16, 2001	EF0	70 km	3.0 mi	0
Aug 29, 2001	EF0	86 km	1.0 mi	0
Oct 22, 1997	EF0	86 km	0.5 mi	0

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

Nearby Volcanoes

2 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: San Francisco Volcanic Field (138 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
San Francisco Volcanic Field	Pyroclastic cone	3,850 m (12,631 ft)	1075	138 km
Red Hill	Volcanic field	2,300 m (7,546 ft)	-9450	182 km

Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: RODEO (461,774 acres, 2002).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2002	RODEO	461,774	34 km
2005	CAVE CREEK COMPLEX	246,143	98 km
2020	BUSH	212,542	77 km
2019	WOODBURY	130,242	96 km
2004	WILLOW	118,494	68 km
2005	EDGE COMPLEX	69,291	81 km
2020	GRIFFIN	61,455	91 km
1996	LONE	60,574	85 km
2016	CEDAR	44,163	70 km
2021	BACKBONE	41,168	79 km
2016	JACK	35,926	63 km
2017	HILLTOP	32,983	86 km
2016	JUNIPER	32,293	53 km
2024	SAND STONE	26,470	93 km
2003	KINISHBA	26,205	86 km
1990	DUDE	25,080	34 km
2015	CAMILLO	24,654	76 km
2020	SALT	21,885	88 km
2020	CASSADORE SPRINGS	21,534	96 km
1995	BASIN	21,533	81 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	33°F (0°C)	1.9 in	Coldest
February	35°F (1°C)	1.8 in
March	38°F (4°C)	2.2 in
April	44°F (7°C)	0.9 in
May	51°F (11°C)	0.7 in
June	60°F (16°C)	0.4 in	Driest
July	69°F (21°C)	3.4 in	Warmest
August	66°F (19°C)	3.5 in	Wettest
September	62°F (16°C)	2.2 in
October	52°F (11°C)	1.7 in
November	41°F (5°C)	1.9 in
December	34°F (1°C)	2.2 in

Forest Lakes has a seasonal temperature swing of 37°F / from 33°F in January to 69°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 23.0 inches, with August being the wettest month (3.5") and June the driest (0.4").

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