Weather & Climate in Poston, AZ
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Poston has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 74°F (23°C). Winters average 55°F in January while summers reach 95°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 4.6 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 47. 62% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 331 feet.
Temperature
55°F Jan (13°C)
95°F Jul (35°C)
| Annual Average | 74.1°F |
| 37% above US avg | |
| January Average | 55°F (13°C) |
| July Average | 95°F (35°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 331 ft (101 m) |
| Area | 1.4 sq mi (3.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 122/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 33.9921°N, 114.4045°W |
| Timezone | America/Phoenix |
| County | La Paz County County |
| Nearest Airport | Laughlin/Bullhead International (IFP) 81 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 47.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Good Days % | 61.7% |
| Unhealthy Days | 4 |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 83.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 94.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 0.2 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | No Rating |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
816 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.3.
| Jun 5, 2021 | 11km W of Calipatria, CA | M5.3 | 148 km | 6 km |
| Aug 27, 2012 | 5km NNE of Brawley, CA | M4.9 | 150 km | 4 km |
| Mar 24, 2009 | 4km S of Bombay Beach, CA | M4.8 | 144 km | 6 km |
| Oct 16, 1999 | 13km W of Niland, California | M4.7 | 144 km | 6 km |
| Aug 26, 2012 | 6km N of Brawley, CA | M4.6 | 150 km | 7 km |
| Oct 16, 1999 | 11km SE of Bombay Beach, CA | M4.5 | 139 km | 3 km |
| Jul 11, 2025 | 12 km WNW of Calipatria, CA | M4.3 | 147 km | 11 km |
| Sep 27, 2016 | 6km SSE of Bombay Beach, CA | M4.3 | 144 km | 5 km |
| Apr 30, 2023 | 8km WSW of Niland, CA | M4.3 | 141 km | 2 km |
| Sep 26, 2016 | 6km SSE of Bombay Beach, CA | M4.3 | 144 km | 2 km |
| Jun 12, 2021 | 12km WSW of Niland, CA | M4.3 | 145 km | 2 km |
| Jun 5, 2021 | 10km WNW of Calipatria, CA | M4.3 | 147 km | 4 km |
| Apr 30, 2023 | 9 km SW of Niland, CA | M4.3 | 142 km | 2 km |
| Apr 30, 2023 | 7km WSW of Niland, CA | M4.3 | 140 km | 2 km |
| Aug 26, 2012 | 6km N of Brawley, CA | M4.3 | 149 km | 5 km |
| Jun 12, 2021 | 11 km W of Niland, California | M4.1 | 142 km | 8 km |
| Sep 27, 2016 | 6km SSE of Bombay Beach, CA | M4.1 | 142 km | 3 km |
| Aug 2, 2023 | 8 km SW of Niland, CA | M4.1 | 141 km | 3 km |
| Nov 13, 2001 | 5km SE of Bombay Beach, CA | M4.1 | 142 km | 6 km |
| May 21, 2015 | 13km WNW of Calipatria, CA | M4.1 | 147 km | 6 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
8 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Aug 16, 1973 | EF3 | 46 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 31, 1983 | EF1 | 39 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Sep 18, 1972 | EF1 | 36 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Oct 13, 2018 | EF0 | 38 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 21, 2015 | EF0 | 94 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 21, 2010 | EF0 | 62 km | 14.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 7, 1997 | EF0 | 70 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1972 | EF0 | 97 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Salton Buttes (143 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Salton Buttes | Lava dome(s) | -40 m (-131 ft) | 210 | 143 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
16 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: HARCUVAR (16,305 acres, 1999).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1999 | HARCUVAR | 16,305 | 96 km |
| 2015 | WILLOW | 6,084 | 95 km |
| 2022 | LOST LAKE | 5,455 | 7 km |
| 2006 | CIBOLA | 4,703 | 79 km |
| 2011 | THREE SLASHES | 4,581 | 84 km |
| 1995 | ICEHOUSE | 4,570 | 97 km |
| 2005 | BOSQUE | 3,381 | 36 km |
| 1998 | SOUTH DIKE | 3,148 | 90 km |
| 1995 | LOST LAKE | 2,846 | 6 km |
| 1999 | ARRASTRA | 2,556 | 69 km |
| 1992 | WALTERS | 2,170 | 85 km |
| 1994 | BLACK MESA | 1,657 | 66 km |
| 2016 | TOPOCK | 1,422 | 84 km |
| 1986 | COLORADO 2 | 1,403 | 8 km |
| 1987 | THREE MILE | 1,392 | 93 km |
| 2021 | PLANET RANCH | 1,250 | 45 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 55°F (13°C) | 0.9 in | Wettest |
| February | 59°F (15°C) | 0.7 in | |
| March | 65°F (18°C) | 0.6 in | |
| April | 72°F (22°C) | 0.2 in | |
| May | 80°F (27°C) | 0.1 in | |
| June | 90°F (32°C) | 0.0 in | Driest |
| July | 95°F (35°C) | 0.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 94°F (35°C) | 0.4 in | |
| September | 88°F (31°C) | 0.4 in | |
| October | 76°F (24°C) | 0.4 in | |
| November | 63°F (17°C) | 0.2 in | |
| December | 54°F (12°C) | 0.5 in | Coldest |
Poston has a seasonal temperature swing of 41°F / from 54°F in December to 95°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 4.6 inches, with January being the wettest month (0.9") and June the driest (0.0").