Weather & Climate in Payson, AZ

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

Payson enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 57°F (14°C). Winters average 41°F in January while summers reach 76°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 19.8 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 18.5 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 45. The city sits at an elevation of 4,998 feet.

Temperature

41°F Jan (5°C) 76°F Jul (24°C)

Annual Average	57.0°F
	6% above US avg
January Average	41°F (5°C)
July Average	76°F (24°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	4,998 ft (1,523 m)
Area	19.4 sq mi (50.1 km²)
Population Density	852/sq mi
Coordinates	34.2438°N, 111.3190°W
Timezone	America/Phoenix
County	Gila County County
Nearest Airport	Winslow-Lindbergh Regional (INW) 64 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 19.8"

48% below US avg

Snowfall 18.5"

Wettest Month (Aug) 3.03"

Driest Month (Jun) 0.35"

Air Quality

AQI Median	45.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	90.2 / 100
Social Vulnerability	86.7 / 100
Community Resilience	6.4 / 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 Moderate
Winter Weather	Relatively High
Lightning	Relatively High
Drought	Very Low
Cold Wave	Very Low
Landslide	Relatively Low
Volcano	Very Low
Avalanche	Very Low

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

Earthquake History

53 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	61 km	5 km
Jan 30, 2005	41 km NNE of Washington Park, Arizona	M4.0	62 km	5 km
Jan 6, 1998	15 km WSW of Joseph City, Arizona	M3.9	106 km	5 km
Jul 23, 2023	2 km E of Chino Valley, Arizona	M3.8	117 km	5 km
Jan 28, 2005	40 km NE of Washington Park, Arizona	M3.8	60 km	5 km
Mar 18, 2011	7 km NNW of Clarkdale, Arizona	M3.8	97 km	5 km
Jan 23, 2011	7 km NNW of Clarkdale, Arizona	M3.6	96 km	5 km
Feb 8, 2005	37 km NE of Washington Park, Arizona	M3.6	57 km	5 km
Oct 25, 2011	4 km WSW of Paulden, Arizona	M3.5	130 km	5 km
Nov 13, 1991	5 km NW of Prescott Valley, Arizona	M3.5	105 km	5 km
Jul 1, 2005	23 km NE of Washington Park, Arizona	M3.4	43 km	5 km
Apr 1, 1994	22 km WNW of Paulden, Arizona	M3.3	149 km	5 km
Apr 7, 2021	4 km ESE of Flagstaff, Arizona	M3.3	107 km	5 km
Mar 18, 2025	13 km NNE of Clay Springs, Arizona	M3.2	101 km	5 km
Jul 1, 2005	37 km NE of Washington Park, Arizona	M3.2	57 km	5 km
Jan 8, 2012	28 km SW of Winslow West, Arizona	M3.2	73 km	5 km
May 9, 2009	11 km SSW of Cordes Lakes, Arizona	M3.1	76 km	5 km
Jun 25, 2010	8 km SW of Roosevelt, Arizona	M3.1	71 km	5 km
May 5, 2015	6 km W of Munds Park, Arizona	M3.1	87 km	7 km
Sep 29, 1994	22 km N of Parks, Arizona	M3.0	149 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

39 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 7 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Oct 6, 2010	EF2	97 km	2.8 mi	0
Oct 6, 2010	EF2	98 km	32.0 mi	0
Oct 6, 2010	EF2	99 km	18.6 mi	0
Oct 6, 2010	EF2	97 km	34.1 mi	0
Jan 17, 1993	EF2	88 km	2.1 mi	0
Nov 19, 2023	EF1	4 km	2.4 mi	0
Jul 10, 2021	EF1	40 km	1.3 mi	0
Oct 6, 2010	EF1	27 km	14.1 mi	0
Nov 18, 1986	EF1	94 km	0.5 mi	0
Aug 9, 1984	EF1	99 km	0.5 mi	0
May 4, 1976	EF1	91 km	2.0 mi	0
Oct 18, 1972	EF1	94 km	0.1 mi	0
Oct 18, 1971	EF1	95 km	0.5 mi	0
Oct 17, 1962	EF1	68 km	2.0 mi	0
Jul 24, 2020	EF0	72 km	0.4 mi	0
Sep 23, 2019	EF0	77 km	1.0 mi	0
Aug 18, 2018	EF0	97 km	3.1 mi	0
Oct 6, 2010	EF0	84 km	17.1 mi	0
Oct 6, 2010	EF0	69 km	7.3 mi	0
Jul 16, 2006	EF0	77 km	0.1 mi	0

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

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: San Francisco Volcanic Field (127 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
San Francisco Volcanic Field	Pyroclastic cone	3,850 m (12,631 ft)	1075	127 km

Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: RODEO (461,774 acres, 2002).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2002	RODEO	461,774	79 km
2005	CAVE CREEK COMPLEX	246,143	51 km
2020	BUSH	212,542	48 km
2019	WOODBURY	130,242	82 km
2004	WILLOW	118,494	22 km
2005	EDGE COMPLEX	69,291	51 km
1996	LONE	60,574	62 km
2021	BACKBONE	41,168	36 km
2017	BROOKLYN	39,780	64 km
2016	JACK	35,926	51 km
2016	JUNIPER	32,293	56 km
2017	GOODWIN	28,192	91 km
2024	SAND STONE	26,470	58 km
1990	DUDE	25,080	21 km
2015	CAMILLO	24,654	68 km
2020	SAWTOOTH	23,174	95 km
2024	SKELETON	22,753	66 km
2014	SLIDE	22,698	96 km
1995	RIO	22,666	74 km
2020	SALT	21,885	86 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	41°F (5°C)	2.2 in
February	42°F (6°C)	2.0 in
March	45°F (7°C)	2.5 in
April	51°F (11°C)	1.1 in
May	58°F (15°C)	0.6 in
June	67°F (19°C)	0.4 in	Driest
July	76°F (24°C)	2.5 in	Warmest
August	74°F (23°C)	3.0 in	Wettest
September	69°F (20°C)	2.1 in
October	59°F (15°C)	1.7 in
November	48°F (9°C)	1.9 in
December	41°F (5°C)	2.2 in	Coldest

Payson has a seasonal temperature swing of 35°F / from 41°F in December to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 22.0 inches, with August being the wettest month (3.0") and June the driest (0.4").

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