Weather & Climate in Palominas, AZ

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

Palominas enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 61°F (16°C). Winters average 46°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. The area gets 328 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 20.8 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 3.2 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 45. The city sits at an elevation of 4,226 feet.

Temperature

46°F Jan (8°C) 76°F Jul (24°C)

Annual Average	61.3°F
	14% above US avg
January Average	46°F (8°C)
July Average	76°F (24°C)
Sunny Days	328 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	4,226 ft (1,288 m)
Area	1.9 sq mi (5.0 km²)
Population Density	143/sq mi
Coordinates	31.3876°N, 110.1151°W
Timezone	America/Phoenix
County	Santa Cruz County County
Nearest Airport	Bisbee Douglas International (DUG) 31 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 20.8"

45% below US avg

Snowfall 3.2"

Wettest Month (Jul) 3.94"

Driest Month (May) 0.20"

Air Quality

AQI Median	45.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	88.3 / 100
Social Vulnerability	92.3 / 100
Community Resilience	2.3 / 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 High
Winter Weather	Very Low
Lightning	Relatively High
Drought	Relatively Low
Cold Wave	No Rating
Landslide	Relatively Low
Avalanche	Very Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

18 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.2.

Jul 31, 2021	17 km W of Bavispe, Mexico	M5.2	141 km	10 km
Oct 16, 1999	10 km ESE of Imuris, Mexico	M4.5	93 km	5 km
Aug 18, 2021	23 km NNE of Villa Hidalgo, Mexico	M4.1	146 km	10 km
Oct 31, 1990	29 km E of Fronteras, Mexico	M3.8	99 km	5 km
Aug 5, 2021	24 km SSE of Animas, New Mexico	M3.6	139 km	16 km
Mar 10, 1992	33 km WNW of Bavispe, Mexico	M3.5	119 km	5 km
Apr 22, 2020	28 km SSW of Rodeo, New Mexico	M3.5	98 km	21 km
Feb 27, 2018	32 km E of Esqueda, Mexico	M3.4	111 km	10 km
Aug 12, 2021	21 km SSW of Playas, New Mexico	M3.3	145 km	18 km
Aug 5, 2021	37 km SSW of Playas, New Mexico	M3.3	135 km	19 km
Sep 28, 2023	21 km E of Tanque Verde, Arizona	M3.1	100 km	12 km
Aug 5, 2021	31 km SSW of Playas, New Mexico	M3.1	139 km	17 km
Jan 31, 2018	35 km ENE of Fronteras, Mexico	M3.0	92 km	14 km
Aug 26, 2017	33 km SE of Agua Prieta, Mexico	M3.0	85 km	18 km
Jan 4, 2020	22 km SSW of Rodeo, New Mexico	M2.8	96 km	5 km
Aug 9, 2025	14 km ENE of Willow Canyon, Arizona	M2.6	123 km	12 km
Aug 1, 2021	30 km WNW of Bavispe, Mexico	M2.5	123 km	14 km
Aug 5, 2021	33 km SSW of Playas, New Mexico	M2.5	138 km	16 km

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

Tornado History

19 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF1. Total: 2 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jul 17, 1971	EF1	100 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 16, 1971	EF1	25 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 28, 1966	EF1	22 km	1.0 mi	0
Jul 29, 2017	EF0	48 km	0.1 mi	0
Sep 22, 2015	EF0	62 km	0.6 mi	0
Aug 29, 2015	EF0	99 km	0.4 mi	0
Aug 15, 2014	EF0	98 km	0.8 mi	0
May 9, 2012	EF0	78 km	0.3 mi	0
Nov 29, 2009	EF0	47 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 31, 2005	EF0	100 km	0.5 mi	0
Aug 23, 1997	EF0	21 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 29, 1993	EF0	34 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 16, 1990	EF0	64 km	0.2 mi	0
Jun 24, 1974	EF0	40 km	1.0 mi	0
Sep 9, 1972	EF0	92 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 1, 1969	EF0	86 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 31, 1966	EF0	83 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 10, 1963	EF0	21 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 12, 1956	EF0	70 km	0.1 mi	0

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

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: HORSESHOE 2 (226,079 acres, 2011).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2011	HORSESHOE 2	226,079	98 km
2011	MURPHY COMPLEX	64,407	96 km
2017	SAWMILL	47,357	73 km
2002	RYAN	36,922	43 km
2011	MONUMENT	30,219	12 km
1994	RATTLESNAKE	25,238	96 km
2009	HOG	18,086	99 km
2002	WALKER	17,438	91 km
2022	TONTO CANYON	16,989	98 km
2005	FLORIDA	16,362	78 km
2011	BULL	16,339	91 km
1988	PEAK	16,078	14 km
2017	LIZARD	15,791	67 km
1994	RINCON	15,472	97 km
2022	SAN RAFAEL	12,203	45 km
2012	CAMPINI	11,893	25 km
2023	BEEHIVE	11,087	99 km
2013	SOLDIER BASIN	11,052	62 km
2016	LA SIERRA	11,035	96 km
2017	SWISSHELMS	10,798	66 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	46°F (8°C)	1.1 in	Coldest
February	50°F (10°C)	0.8 in
March	55°F (13°C)	0.8 in
April	61°F (16°C)	0.3 in
May	69°F (21°C)	0.2 in	Driest
June	78°F (26°C)	0.6 in	Warmest
July	76°F (24°C)	3.9 in	Wettest
August	77°F (25°C)	3.4 in
September	74°F (23°C)	1.7 in
October	64°F (18°C)	1.2 in
November	54°F (12°C)	0.7 in
December	47°F (8°C)	1.3 in

Palominas has a seasonal temperature swing of 32°F / from 46°F in January to 78°F in June. Total annual precipitation is 16.0 inches, with July being the wettest month (3.9") and May the driest (0.2").

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