Weather & Climate in Katherine, AZ
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Katherine has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 74°F (23°C). Winters average 55°F in January while summers reach 96°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 5.4 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 19 / among the cleanest air in the country. 99% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 693 feet.
Temperature
55°F Jan (13°C)
96°F Jul (35°C)
| Annual Average | 74.1°F |
| 37% above US avg | |
| January Average | 55°F (13°C) |
| July Average | 96°F (35°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 693 ft (211 m) |
| Area | 4.6 sq mi (12.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 51/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.2208°N, 114.5613°W |
| Timezone | America/Phoenix |
| County | Mohave County County |
| Nearest Airport | Laughlin/Bullhead International (IFP) 5 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 19.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Good Days % | 98.6% |
| Unhealthy Days | 0 |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 94.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 87.3 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 3.2 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | No Rating |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively High |
| Flood | Relatively High |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively High |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Very High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
137 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.8.
| Sep 8, 1993 | 19 km W of Sandy Valley, Nevada | M3.8 | 135 km | 10 km |
| May 5, 2016 | 35 km SSE of Bunkerville, Nevada | M3.8 | 146 km | 5 km |
| Jun 29, 2019 | 47 km SSE of Scenic, Arizona | M3.8 | 146 km | 6 km |
| Jan 14, 2018 | 13km NE of Ludlow, CA | M3.7 | 145 km | 4 km |
| Oct 22, 1996 | 20 km SE of Boulder City, Nevada | M3.7 | 73 km | 5 km |
| Jan 1, 1995 | 3 km SW of Boulder City, Nevada | M3.6 | 86 km | 5 km |
| Nov 25, 1993 | 18 km WNW of Sandy Valley, Nevada | M3.6 | 134 km | 5 km |
| Sep 25, 2012 | 31 km NNE of Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada | M3.6 | 144 km | 13 km |
| Sep 9, 1993 | 18 km WNW of Sandy Valley, Nevada | M3.6 | 135 km | 5 km |
| Oct 29, 1994 | 9 km NNW of Meadview, Arizona | M3.6 | 104 km | 5 km |
| Aug 19, 1993 | 16 km W of Sandy Valley, Nevada | M3.5 | 132 km | 5 km |
| May 12, 1993 | 22 km NNE of Meadview, Arizona | M3.5 | 120 km | 5 km |
| Jun 29, 2019 | 49 km NNE of Meadview, Arizona | M3.5 | 147 km | 14 km |
| Oct 11, 2011 | 12km E of Ludlow, CA | M3.4 | 145 km | 7 km |
| Apr 7, 1992 | 20 km ESE of Peach Springs, Arizona | M3.4 | 124 km | 5 km |
| Jan 31, 1996 | 15 km ESE of Boulder City, Nevada | M3.4 | 78 km | 5 km |
| Dec 4, 1992 | 37 km SSE of Bunkerville, Nevada | M3.4 | 145 km | 5 km |
| Oct 9, 2016 | 30 km ENE of Peach Springs, Arizona | M3.4 | 139 km | 9 km |
| Jun 2, 2016 | 12km E of Ludlow, CA | M3.3 | 145 km | 3 km |
| Nov 3, 1993 | 19 km WNW of Sandy Valley, Nevada | M3.3 | 136 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
18 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF1. Total: 1 injury.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 21, 2001 | EF1 | 36 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 22, 1996 | EF1 | 34 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 14, 1989 | EF1 | 98 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Aug 6, 1983 | EF1 | 55 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Sep 18, 1972 | EF1 | 21 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 24, 2020 | EF0 | 64 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 27, 2016 | EF0 | 55 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 4, 2014 | EF0 | 73 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Oct 18, 2010 | EF0 | 53 km | 1.2 mi | 0 |
| Sep 11, 1998 | EF0 | 98 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 25, 1998 | EF0 | 73 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 7, 1997 | EF0 | 69 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Nov 22, 1996 | EF0 | 54 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 22, 1996 | EF0 | 33 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Nov 22, 1996 | EF0 | 18 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 13, 1995 | EF0 | 76 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 20, 1975 | EF0 | 99 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 8, 1972 | EF0 | 59 km | 2.3 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Uinkaret Field (182 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Uinkaret Field | Volcanic field | 1,555 m (5,102 ft) | 1100 | 182 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: YORK (94,736 acres, 2023).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2023 | YORK | 94,736 | 59 km |
| 2005 | HACKBERRY COMPLEX | 69,967 | 70 km |
| 2020 | DOME | 43,628 | 94 km |
| 1994 | COYOTE | 24,951 | 40 km |
| 2005 | PERKINS COMPLEX | 18,064 | 43 km |
| 2012 | BLACK CANYON | 17,083 | 97 km |
| 2005 | TWIN MILLS | 12,244 | 24 km |
| 2006 | BLACK MOUNTAIN COMPLEX | 8,974 | 20 km |
| 1995 | LOST | 7,276 | 99 km |
| 2020 | BLACK CANYON | 6,363 | 93 km |
| 1994 | FORT PIUTE | 6,350 | 42 km |
| 1994 | COYOTE | 6,154 | 62 km |
| 2015 | WILLOW | 6,084 | 43 km |
| 2013 | DEAN PEAK | 5,846 | 64 km |
| 1995 | STOVE | 5,770 | 87 km |
| 1994 | WARM | 5,100 | 38 km |
| 1995 | SENATOR II | 5,019 | 77 km |
| 1995 | ICEHOUSE | 4,570 | 41 km |
| 2006 | SECRET | 4,537 | 22 km |
| 1994 | LIBERTY | 4,222 | 55 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 55°F (13°C) | 1.0 in | |
| February | 58°F (14°C) | 1.2 in | Wettest |
| March | 64°F (18°C) | 0.8 in | |
| April | 72°F (22°C) | 0.2 in | |
| May | 81°F (27°C) | 0.0 in | Driest |
| June | 90°F (32°C) | 0.0 in | |
| July | 96°F (35°C) | 0.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 95°F (35°C) | 0.4 in | |
| September | 88°F (31°C) | 0.3 in | |
| October | 75°F (24°C) | 0.3 in | |
| November | 62°F (17°C) | 0.3 in | |
| December | 54°F (12°C) | 0.6 in | Coldest |
Katherine has a seasonal temperature swing of 42°F / from 54°F in December to 96°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 5.4 inches, with February being the wettest month (1.2") and May the driest (0.0").