Weather & Climate in Indian Wells, AZ
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Indian Wells experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (10°C). Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 9.9 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 1.6 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 13 / among the cleanest air in the country. 99% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 6,051 feet.
Temperature
31°F Jan (-0°C)
73°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 50.8°F |
| 6% below US avg | |
| January Average | 31°F (-0°C) |
| July Average | 73°F (23°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 6,051 ft (1,844 m) |
| Area | 4.0 sq mi (10.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 31/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.4093°N, 110.1144°W |
| Timezone | America/Phoenix |
| County | Navajo County County |
| Nearest Airport | Winslow-Lindbergh Regional (INW) 44 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 13.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Good Days % | 99.4% |
| Unhealthy Days | 0 |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 88.1 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 97.7 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 3.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | No Rating |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively High |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Very High |
| Lightning | Very High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
41 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 | 110 km | 5 km |
| Jan 30, 2005 | 41 km NNE of Washington Park, Arizona | M4.0 | 113 km | 5 km |
| Jan 6, 1998 | 15 km WSW of Joseph City, Arizona | M3.9 | 65 km | 5 km |
| Jan 28, 2005 | 40 km NE of Washington Park, Arizona | M3.8 | 112 km | 5 km |
| Feb 8, 2005 | 37 km NE of Washington Park, Arizona | M3.6 | 114 km | 5 km |
| May 10, 2023 | 33 km SW of Cameron, Arizona | M3.4 | 142 km | 7 km |
| Oct 18, 1998 | 14 km SE of Moenkopi, Arizona | M3.4 | 112 km | 5 km |
| Jul 1, 2005 | 23 km NE of Washington Park, Arizona | M3.4 | 128 km | 5 km |
| Mar 1, 2025 | 6 km SE of Moenkopi, Arizona | M3.4 | 120 km | 12 km |
| Apr 7, 2021 | 4 km ESE of Flagstaff, Arizona | M3.3 | 138 km | 5 km |
| Jan 8, 2012 | 28 km SW of Winslow West, Arizona | M3.2 | 99 km | 5 km |
| Jul 4, 2007 | 9 km S of Moenkopi, Arizona | M3.2 | 121 km | 5 km |
| Mar 18, 2025 | 13 km NNE of Clay Springs, Arizona | M3.2 | 104 km | 5 km |
| Jul 1, 2005 | 37 km NE of Washington Park, Arizona | M3.2 | 114 km | 5 km |
| Sep 23, 2019 | 22 km NNW of Saint Johns, Arizona | M3.1 | 100 km | 5 km |
| May 10, 2023 | 31 km SW of Cameron, Arizona | M3.1 | 142 km | 11 km |
| Jun 18, 2022 | 4 km SW of Clay Springs, Arizona | M3.0 | 122 km | 10 km |
| Feb 19, 2025 | 0 km SW of Christopher Creek, Arizona | M3.0 | 147 km | 11 km |
| Feb 8, 2005 | 41 km NE of Washington Park, Arizona | M2.9 | 111 km | 5 km |
| Feb 11, 1999 | 30 km SSW of Cameron, Arizona | M2.9 | 135 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
31 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Oct 6, 2010 | EF3 | 99 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 2024 | EF0 | 58 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 13, 2022 | EF0 | 54 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 17, 2021 | EF0 | 92 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 2021 | EF0 | 37 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Oct 21, 2018 | EF0 | 85 km | 1.7 mi | 0 |
| Oct 20, 2015 | EF0 | 41 km | 6.9 mi | 0 |
| Jul 15, 2013 | EF0 | 67 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 1, 2011 | EF0 | 60 km | 1.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 24, 2011 | EF0 | 99 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 21, 2010 | EF0 | 86 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 2009 | EF0 | 48 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 19, 2006 | EF0 | 79 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Oct 18, 2005 | EF0 | 65 km | 30.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 25, 2005 | EF0 | 61 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 23, 2005 | EF0 | 69 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 29, 2004 | EF0 | 57 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 3, 2003 | EF0 | 22 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 9, 2003 | EF0 | 56 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 17, 2003 | EF0 | 68 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 (142 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| San Francisco Volcanic Field | Pyroclastic cone | 3,850 m (12,631 ft) | 1075 | 142 km |
| Red Hill | Volcanic field | 2,300 m (7,546 ft) | -9450 | 174 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
10 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 | 90 km |
| 2009 | SAWMILL ROAD RX | 3,411 | 94 km |
| 2007 | OAK RIDGE 3 | 2,959 | 65 km |
| 1996 | ALLENTOWN5 | 2,653 | 86 km |
| 2006 | KINLICHEE CANYON 1 | 2,283 | 89 km |
| 1996 | HDSCRABBLE | 2,217 | 80 km |
| 2005 | KINLICHEE | 1,949 | 90 km |
| 2006 | KINLICHEE 2 | 1,738 | 72 km |
| 2001 | 9400 FMZ | 1,312 | 96 km |
| 2005 | OAK RIDGE | 1,309 | 85 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 31°F (-0°C) | 0.9 in | |
| February | 36°F (2°C) | 0.7 in | |
| March | 42°F (6°C) | 0.7 in | |
| April | 49°F (9°C) | 0.4 in | |
| May | 57°F (14°C) | 0.5 in | |
| June | 66°F (19°C) | 0.3 in | Driest |
| July | 73°F (23°C) | 1.4 in | Warmest |
| August | 70°F (21°C) | 1.7 in | Wettest |
| September | 63°F (17°C) | 1.1 in | |
| October | 51°F (11°C) | 1.0 in | |
| November | 40°F (5°C) | 0.6 in | |
| December | 30°F (-1°C) | 0.8 in | Coldest |
Indian Wells has a seasonal temperature swing of 43°F / from 30°F in December to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 10.0 inches, with August being the wettest month (1.7") and June the driest (0.3").