All Countries
Weather & Climate in Nelson, AZ
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Nelson enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 70°F (21°C). Winters average 53°F in January while summers reach 88°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 11.1 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 1,977 feet.
Temperature
53°F Jan (12°C)
88°F Jul (31°C)
| Annual Average | 70.1°F |
| 30% above US avg | |
| January Average | 53°F (12°C) |
| July Average | 88°F (31°C) |
| Sunny Days | 330 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,977 ft (603 m) |
| Area | 0.5 sq mi (1.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 672/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 32.4298°N, 111.2649°W |
| Timezone | America/Phoenix |
| County | Pinal County County |
| Nearest Airport | Marana Regional (AVW) 3 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 45.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 93.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 43.7 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 13.9 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively High |
| Flood | Relatively High |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively High |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Very High |
| Drought | Relatively High |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
9 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.1.
| Jun 25, 2010 | 8 km SW of Roosevelt, Arizona | M3.1 | 131 km | 5 km |
| Sep 28, 2023 | 21 km E of Tanque Verde, Arizona | M3.1 | 75 km | 12 km |
| Sep 9, 2014 | 6 km SE of Roosevelt, Arizona | M2.9 | 133 km | 3 km |
| Aug 30, 2014 | 8 km W of Rock House, Arizona | M2.9 | 137 km | 3 km |
| Sep 26, 2010 | 3 km NNW of Roosevelt, Arizona | M2.8 | 141 km | 5 km |
| Feb 25, 2022 | 1 km S of Roosevelt, Arizona | M2.6 | 137 km | 5 km |
| Aug 9, 2025 | 14 km ENE of Willow Canyon, Arizona | M2.6 | 67 km | 12 km |
| Feb 15, 2022 | 6 km S of Roosevelt, Arizona | M2.5 | 132 km | 10 km |
| Feb 12, 2022 | 2 km ESE of Roosevelt, Arizona | M2.5 | 137 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
53 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 3 fatalities, 61 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jul 28, 1994 | EF2 | 24 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 27, 1964 | EF2 | 34 km | 0.1 mi | 2 |
| Jul 2, 2024 | EF1 | 52 km | 3.3 mi | 0 |
| Jan 18, 1993 | EF1 | 86 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 6, 1992 | EF1 | 39 km | 2.8 mi | 0 |
| Aug 24, 1991 | EF1 | 1 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 20, 1988 | EF1 | 48 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Mar 15, 1985 | EF1 | 65 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 22, 1984 | EF1 | 85 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 16, 1984 | EF1 | 44 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 16, 1984 | EF1 | 46 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 5, 1981 | EF1 | 73 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 23, 1975 | EF1 | 45 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 23, 1974 | EF1 | 66 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Oct 23, 1974 | EF1 | 55 km | 4.7 mi | 0 |
| Jun 23, 1974 | EF1 | 41 km | 1.0 mi | 1 |
| Jun 21, 1972 | EF1 | 45 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 1, 1971 | EF1 | 69 km | 32.4 mi | 0 |
| Sep 1, 1971 | EF1 | 73 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 16, 1969 | EF1 | 62 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: TELEGRAPH (187,248 acres, 2021).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2021 | TELEGRAPH | 187,248 | 97 km |
| 2020 | BIGHORN | 126,131 | 51 km |
| 2003 | ASPEN | 79,707 | 46 km |
| 2017 | SAWMILL | 47,357 | 87 km |
| 2024 | FREEMAN | 32,950 | 48 km |
| 2002 | BULLOCK | 31,774 | 56 km |
| 2022 | CONTRERAS | 31,297 | 66 km |
| 2017 | BURRO | 26,852 | 62 km |
| 1993 | MARKHAM | 24,636 | 83 km |
| 2009 | ELK HORN | 22,745 | 79 km |
| 2005 | FLORIDA | 16,362 | 88 km |
| 2016 | BROWN | 15,681 | 80 km |
| 1994 | RINCON | 15,472 | 75 km |
| 2020 | ENCINOS | 14,145 | 92 km |
| 2014 | OAK | 13,664 | 93 km |
| 1993 | SPRINGS | 13,472 | 47 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 10,090 | 94 km |
| 2017 | PADDYS RIVER RX | 9,917 | 96 km |
| 1989 | CHIVA | 9,210 | 65 km |
| 1990 | MONTOSA | 9,077 | 97 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 53°F (12°C) | 0.9 in | |
| February | 56°F (13°C) | 0.8 in | |
| March | 60°F (16°C) | 0.9 in | |
| April | 67°F (19°C) | 0.3 in | |
| May | 75°F (24°C) | 0.2 in | Driest |
| June | 84°F (29°C) | 0.2 in | |
| July | 88°F (31°C) | 1.7 in | Warmest |
| August | 86°F (30°C) | 2.0 in | Wettest |
| September | 82°F (28°C) | 1.2 in | |
| October | 72°F (22°C) | 1.0 in | |
| November | 60°F (15°C) | 0.7 in | |
| December | 52°F (11°C) | 1.2 in | Coldest |
Nelson has a seasonal temperature swing of 36°F / from 52°F in December to 88°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 11.2 inches, with August being the wettest month (2.0") and May the driest (0.2").