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Weather & Climate in Fort Defiance, AZ
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Fort Defiance experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°F (10°C). Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 72°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 11.4 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 6,799 feet.
Temperature
30°F Jan (-1°C)
72°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 49.2°F |
| 9% below US avg | |
| January Average | 30°F (-1°C) |
| July Average | 72°F (22°C) |
| Sunny Days | 330 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 6,799 ft (2,072 m) |
| Area | 6.1 sq mi (15.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 564/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.7475°N, 109.0680°W |
| Timezone | America/Phoenix |
| County | Apache County County |
| Nearest Airport | Four Corners Regional (FMN) 83 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
14 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.8.
| May 18, 2023 | 8 km ENE of San Mateo, New Mexico | M3.8 | 143 km | 5 km |
| Sep 23, 2019 | 22 km NNW of Saint Johns, Arizona | M3.1 | 120 km | 5 km |
| Jul 4, 2021 | 24 km SW of Lake Valley, New Mexico | M3.1 | 67 km | 5 km |
| Jun 10, 2020 | 5 km WNW of Tsaile, Arizona | M2.8 | 67 km | 14 km |
| Aug 10, 2019 | 5 km E of Bluewater Village, New Mexico | M2.8 | 119 km | 5 km |
| Jan 30, 2023 | 18 km WSW of Pueblo Pintado, New Mexico | M2.7 | 114 km | 5 km |
| Sep 23, 1995 | 4 km E of Teec Nos Pos, Arizona | M2.7 | 131 km | 8 km |
| Sep 7, 2014 | 4 km WSW of Sun Valley, Arizona | M2.6 | 128 km | 5 km |
| Mar 6, 2023 | 17 km ENE of Chilchinbito, Arizona | M2.6 | 118 km | 13 km |
| Aug 26, 2024 | 8 km S of Rough Rock, Arizona | M2.6 | 98 km | 5 km |
| May 20, 2024 | 11 km WNW of Ramah, New Mexico | M2.6 | 77 km | 11 km |
| May 8, 2025 | 44 km SSW of San Rafael, New Mexico | M2.6 | 148 km | 8 km |
| Jul 16, 2022 | 11 km NW of Many Farms, Arizona | M2.5 | 95 km | 5 km |
| Aug 25, 2024 | 13 km NNE of Round Rock, Arizona | M2.5 | 102 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
9 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF0.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 17, 2021 | EF0 | 75 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Oct 20, 2015 | EF0 | 64 km | 6.9 mi | 0 |
| Oct 21, 2010 | EF0 | 83 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Aug 3, 2010 | EF0 | 76 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 2009 | EF0 | 99 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 25, 2005 | EF0 | 82 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 3, 2003 | EF0 | 92 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 9, 2003 | EF0 | 53 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 17, 1962 | EF0 | 67 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
2 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Zuni-Bandera (143 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Zuni-Bandera | Volcanic field | 2,550 m (8,366 ft) | -1170 | 143 km |
| Red Hill | Volcanic field | 2,300 m (7,546 ft) | -9450 | 168 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
18 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 | 28 km |
| 2014 | ASSAYII LAKE | 13,176 | 38 km |
| 2005 | LITTLE WATER1 | 4,342 | 33 km |
| 2005 | HOOK LAKE | 3,609 | 49 km |
| 2009 | SAWMILL ROAD RX | 3,411 | 17 km |
| 2004 | TURKEY SPRING | 3,017 | 41 km |
| 2007 | OAK RIDGE 3 | 2,959 | 39 km |
| 2004 | SANDSPRING | 2,935 | 37 km |
| 1996 | ALLENTOWN5 | 2,653 | 59 km |
| 2010 | FLUTED ROCK LAKE RX | 2,630 | 23 km |
| 2006 | KINLICHEE CANYON 1 | 2,283 | 14 km |
| 1996 | HDSCRABBLE | 2,217 | 92 km |
| 2005 | KINLICHEE | 1,949 | 12 km |
| 2011 | CATTAIL CANYON JACKPOT BURN | 1,801 | 32 km |
| 2006 | KINLICHEE 2 | 1,738 | 31 km |
| 2006 | FOREST UNIT | 1,408 | 96 km |
| 2001 | 9400 FMZ | 1,312 | 27 km |
| 2005 | OAK RIDGE | 1,309 | 19 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 30°F (-1°C) | 0.9 in | |
| February | 31°F (-0°C) | 0.8 in | |
| March | 37°F (3°C) | 1.0 in | |
| April | 44°F (7°C) | 0.6 in | |
| May | 52°F (11°C) | 0.4 in | Driest |
| June | 62°F (17°C) | 0.4 in | |
| July | 72°F (22°C) | 1.9 in | Warmest |
| August | 67°F (20°C) | 2.1 in | Wettest |
| September | 61°F (16°C) | 1.4 in | |
| October | 50°F (10°C) | 1.3 in | |
| November | 38°F (3°C) | 1.1 in | |
| December | 30°F (-1°C) | 1.0 in | Coldest |
Fort Defiance has a seasonal temperature swing of 42°F / from 30°F in December to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 12.9 inches, with August being the wettest month (2.1") and May the driest (0.4").