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Weather & Climate in Rainbow City, AZ
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Rainbow City has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 42°F (5°C). Winters average 27°F in January while summers reach 58°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 26.7 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 5,781 feet.
Temperature
27°F Jan (-3°C)
58°F Jul (14°C)
| Annual Average | 41.8°F |
| 23% below US avg | |
| January Average | 27°F (-3°C) |
| July Average | 58°F (14°C) |
| Sunny Days | 328 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 5,781 ft (1,762 m) |
| Area | 2.2 sq mi (5.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 413/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 33.8730°N, 109.9763°W |
| Timezone | America/Phoenix |
| County | Greenlee County County |
| Nearest Airport | Show Low Regional (SOW) 27 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 45.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 12.4 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 37.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 22.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively 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
37 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 | 131 km | 5 km |
| Jan 30, 2005 | 41 km NNE of Washington Park, Arizona | M4.0 | 142 km | 5 km |
| Jan 6, 1998 | 15 km WSW of Joseph City, Arizona | M3.9 | 125 km | 5 km |
| Jan 28, 2005 | 40 km NE of Washington Park, Arizona | M3.8 | 132 km | 5 km |
| May 24, 2010 | 27 km NNE of Morenci, Arizona | M3.6 | 94 km | 5 km |
| Feb 8, 2005 | 37 km NE of Washington Park, Arizona | M3.6 | 132 km | 5 km |
| May 24, 2010 | 24 km NNE of Morenci, Arizona | M3.6 | 95 km | 5 km |
| Oct 8, 2012 | 32 km WNW of Glenwood, New Mexico | M3.6 | 88 km | 5 km |
| Oct 29, 2012 | 35 km WNW of Glenwood, New Mexico | M3.5 | 85 km | 5 km |
| Jul 1, 2005 | 23 km NE of Washington Park, Arizona | M3.4 | 129 km | 5 km |
| Feb 16, 2013 | 34 km WNW of Glenwood, New Mexico | M3.3 | 85 km | 5 km |
| Jul 1, 2005 | 37 km NE of Washington Park, Arizona | M3.2 | 130 km | 5 km |
| Jan 8, 2012 | 28 km SW of Winslow West, Arizona | M3.2 | 138 km | 5 km |
| Mar 18, 2025 | 13 km NNE of Clay Springs, Arizona | M3.2 | 72 km | 5 km |
| Sep 23, 2019 | 22 km NNW of Saint Johns, Arizona | M3.1 | 106 km | 5 km |
| Jun 25, 2010 | 8 km SW of Roosevelt, Arizona | M3.1 | 117 km | 5 km |
| Jun 18, 2022 | 4 km SW of Clay Springs, Arizona | M3.0 | 61 km | 10 km |
| Feb 19, 2025 | 0 km SW of Christopher Creek, Arizona | M3.0 | 108 km | 11 km |
| May 25, 2010 | 25 km NNE of Clifton, Arizona | M3.0 | 99 km | 5 km |
| Aug 30, 2014 | 8 km W of Rock House, Arizona | M2.9 | 101 km | 3 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
14 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF1. Total: 9 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jul 14, 1996 | EF1 | 91 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 9, 1966 | EF1 | 93 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Oct 17, 1962 | EF1 | 82 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 26, 2024 | EF0 | 65 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 24, 2011 | EF0 | 73 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 3, 2008 | EF0 | 55 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Aug 30, 2006 | EF0 | 78 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 16, 2005 | EF0 | 75 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 16, 2005 | EF0 | 89 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 4, 2004 | EF0 | 93 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 15, 2003 | EF0 | 84 km | — | 0 |
| Sep 16, 2001 | EF0 | 70 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 16, 2001 | EF0 | 70 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 14, 1979 | EF0 | 43 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Red Hill (114 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Red Hill | Volcanic field | 2,300 m (7,546 ft) | -9450 | 114 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: WALLOW (563,664 acres, 2011).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2011 | WALLOW | 563,664 | 67 km |
| 2002 | RODEO | 461,774 | 60 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 151,684 | 66 km |
| 2021 | MESCAL | 79,346 | 92 km |
| 2014 | SKUNK | 73,774 | 48 km |
| 2020 | GRIFFIN | 61,455 | 73 km |
| 2016 | CEDAR | 44,163 | 23 km |
| 2015 | WHITETAIL | 33,592 | 42 km |
| 2020 | COW CANYON | 33,536 | 89 km |
| 2017 | HILLTOP | 32,983 | 39 km |
| 2016 | JUNIPER | 32,293 | 88 km |
| 2020 | VALLEY | 29,331 | 59 km |
| 2020 | BLUE RIVER | 29,314 | 54 km |
| 2018 | RATTLESNAKE | 27,383 | 56 km |
| 2020 | BLUE RIVER 2 | 26,885 | 48 km |
| 2003 | KINISHBA | 26,205 | 6 km |
| 2021 | BEAR | 24,459 | 71 km |
| 2020 | BRINGHAM | 23,134 | 80 km |
| 2020 | SALT | 21,885 | 95 km |
| 2020 | CASSADORE SPRINGS | 21,534 | 52 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 27°F (-3°C) | 1.8 in | Coldest |
| February | 38°F (3°C) | 1.5 in | |
| March | 42°F (5°C) | 2.0 in | |
| April | 48°F (9°C) | 0.8 in | |
| May | 56°F (13°C) | 0.6 in | |
| June | 65°F (18°C) | 0.6 in | Driest |
| July | 58°F (14°C) | 3.0 in | |
| August | 67°F (20°C) | 3.4 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| September | 63°F (17°C) | 2.1 in | |
| October | 53°F (12°C) | 1.8 in | |
| November | 43°F (6°C) | 1.6 in | |
| December | 37°F (3°C) | 1.9 in |
Rainbow City has a seasonal temperature swing of 41°F / from 27°F in January to 67°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 21.2 inches, with August being the wettest month (3.4") and June the driest (0.6").