Weather & Climate in Payson, UT

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

Payson experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (10°C). Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 18.4 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 55.1 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 47. 57% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 4,670 feet.

Temperature

29°F Jan (-2°C) 76°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average50.7°F
6% below US avg
January Average29°F (-2°C)
July Average76°F (25°C)

Geography

Elevation4,670 ft (1,423 m)
Area8.7 sq mi (22.5 km²)
Population Density1,687/sq mi
Coordinates40.0359°N, 111.7388°W
TimezoneAmerica/Denver
CountyUtah County County
Nearest AirportSalt Lake City International (SLC)
53 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 18.4"
52% below US avg
Snowfall 55.1"
Wettest Month (Apr) 2.20"
Driest Month (Jul) 0.73"

Air Quality

AQI Median47.0
RatingGood
Good Days %57.4%
Unhealthy Days9

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively High
Risk Score95.3 / 100
Social Vulnerability10.6 / 100
Community Resilience83.2 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively Low
Earthquake Relatively High
Wildfire Relatively High
Flood Relatively Moderate
Hail Very Low
Strong Wind Relatively High
Heat Wave Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather Relatively High
Lightning Very High
Ice Storm Relatively Low
Drought Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave Relatively Low
Landslide Relatively Low
Volcano Very Low
Avalanche Relatively High
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

670 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.7.

Mar 18, 2020 5 km NNE of Magna, Utah M5.7 85 km 12 km
Mar 18, 2020 6 km NNE of Magna, Utah M4.6 85 km 9 km
Mar 18, 2020 5 km NE of Magna, Utah M4.6 84 km 11 km
Jun 24, 1992 30 km WSW of Emery, Utah M4.3 140 km 5 km
Apr 17, 2003 6 km SSW of Levan, Utah M4.2 60 km 1 km
Apr 16, 2020 4 km NE of Magna, Utah M4.2 83 km 10 km
Mar 16, 1992 6 km S of Herriman, Utah M4.2 54 km 12 km
Apr 15, 2020 4 km NE of Magna, Utah M4.2 82 km 9 km
Jul 19, 2001 31 km NNE of Fremont, Utah M4.2 145 km 7 km
Mar 18, 2020 1 km NNW of Magna, Utah M4.2 83 km 9 km
Jun 29, 2014 6 km SE of Spring City, Utah M4.2 71 km 9 km
Mar 7, 2000 7 km N of Helper, Utah M4.2 82 km -3 km
May 25, 2016 15 km NNE of Tabiona, Utah M4.0 105 km 16 km
Mar 18, 2020 4 km NNE of Magna, Utah M4.0 84 km 7 km
May 1, 2025 4 km WNW of Independence, Utah M3.9 48 km 14 km
Mar 18, 2020 4 km NNE of Magna, Utah M3.9 84 km 9 km
Mar 23, 2020 8 km NNE of Magna, Utah M3.9 87 km 10 km
Jan 6, 1996 15 km SE of Castle Dale, Utah M3.9 125 km 6 km
Mar 18, 2020 6 km NE of Magna, Utah M3.9 84 km 10 km
Feb 5, 1998 7 km N of Helper, Utah M3.8 82 km -2 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

40 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 1 fatality, 82 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Jun 19, 2022 EF2 87 km 2.1 mi 0
Sep 8, 2002 EF2 86 km 2.7 mi 0
Aug 11, 1999 EF2 78 km 4.3 mi 1
Feb 9, 1965 EF2 82 km 0.1 mi 0
Jun 3, 1963 EF2 95 km 2.0 mi 0
Jun 16, 1955 EF2 90 km 2.7 mi 0
Sep 2, 2021 EF1 93 km 2.1 mi 0
Jun 2, 1993 EF1 90 km 1.0 mi 0
May 3, 1993 EF1 81 km 0.1 mi 0
Jul 25, 1991 EF1 74 km 10.0 mi 0
Jul 8, 1989 EF1 64 km 0.2 mi 0
Mar 2, 1989 EF1 80 km 0.2 mi 0
Jan 10, 1989 EF1 62 km 0.2 mi 0
Dec 2, 1970 EF1 43 km 1.0 mi 0
Aug 14, 1968 EF1 83 km 0.1 mi 0
Apr 17, 1966 EF1 19 km 0.1 mi 0
Jul 9, 1965 EF1 40 km 0.4 mi 0
Aug 28, 1964 EF1 99 km 0.1 mi 0
May 28, 2018 EF0 53 km 0.3 mi 0
Sep 7, 2013 EF0 40 km 0.1 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Black Rock Desert (135 km).

Name Type Elevation Last Eruption Distance
Black Rock Desert Volcanic field 1,800 m (5,906 ft) 1290 135 km
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: LEAMINGTON COMPLEX (WASH) (161,203 acres, 1996).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
1996 LEAMINGTON COMPLEX (WASH) 161,203 50 km
2012 CLAY SPRINGS 107,391 81 km
2018 POLE CREEK 102,426 19 km
2020 CANAL 74,897 69 km
2018 DOLLAR RIDGE 69,817 74 km
1999 RAILROAD 64,598 56 km
2012 WOOD HOLLOW 46,763 38 km
2012 SEELEY 44,626 74 km
2009 BIG POLE 41,579 100 km
1994 SIMPSON BT 36,917 88 km
2017 DAVIS 35,071 79 km
1996 DAVIS KNOLL COMPLEX (DAVIS KNOLL) 34,843 81 km
2018 COAL HOLLOW 30,239 39 km
2013 PATCH SPRINGS 29,562 88 km
2000 OLDROYD COMPLEX (MONA WEST) 28,774 31 km
1996 LEAMINGTON COMPLEX (LEAMINGTON) 28,159 71 km
2007 SALT CREEK 26,924 37 km
2012 FAUST 22,155 75 km
2005 DITTO 22,041 97 km
2018 BALD MOUNTAIN 21,016 13 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 29°F (-2°C) 1.8 in Coldest
February 33°F (1°C) 1.6 in
March 42°F (5°C) 1.9 in
April 48°F (9°C) 2.2 in Wettest
May 57°F (14°C) 1.9 in
June 67°F (20°C) 0.9 in
July 76°F (25°C) 0.7 in Warmest, Driest
August 75°F (24°C) 0.8 in
September 65°F (18°C) 1.2 in
October 51°F (11°C) 1.8 in
November 39°F (4°C) 1.5 in
December 29°F (-2°C) 1.9 in

Payson has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 29°F in January to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 18.4 inches, with April being the wettest month (2.2") and July the driest (0.7").

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