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Weather & Climate in Rio Rico, AZ
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Rio Rico enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F (17°C). Winters average 47°F in January while summers reach 80°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 16.1 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 3,506 feet.
Temperature
47°F Jan (8°C)
80°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 62.4°F |
| 16% above US avg | |
| January Average | 47°F (8°C) |
| July Average | 80°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 330 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 3,506 ft (1,069 m) |
| Area | 62.4 sq mi (161.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 346/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 31.4982°N, 110.9878°W |
| Timezone | America/Phoenix |
| County | Santa Cruz County County |
| Nearest Airport | Nogales International (OLS) 10 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
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
3 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.5.
| Oct 16, 1999 | 10 km ESE of Imuris, Mexico | M4.5 | 86 km | 5 km |
| Sep 28, 2023 | 21 km E of Tanque Verde, Arizona | M3.1 | 92 km | 12 km |
| Aug 9, 2025 | 14 km ENE of Willow Canyon, Arizona | M2.6 | 112 km | 12 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
29 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 3 fatalities, 53 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jul 28, 1994 | EF2 | 98 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 27, 1964 | EF2 | 78 km | 0.1 mi | 2 |
| Jul 2, 2024 | EF1 | 72 km | 3.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 6, 1992 | EF1 | 82 km | 2.8 mi | 0 |
| Jul 16, 1984 | EF1 | 75 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 16, 1984 | EF1 | 63 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Dec 23, 1975 | EF1 | 74 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 23, 1974 | EF1 | 69 km | 1.0 mi | 1 |
| Sep 1, 1971 | EF1 | 92 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 16, 1971 | EF1 | 65 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 16, 1969 | EF1 | 48 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 27, 1961 | EF1 | 67 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 13, 2023 | EF0 | 98 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 25, 2022 | EF0 | 70 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 10, 2019 | EF0 | 75 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 29, 2017 | EF0 | 82 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 22, 2015 | EF0 | 91 km | 0.6 mi | 0 |
| Aug 29, 2015 | EF0 | 67 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| May 9, 2012 | EF0 | 11 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 31, 2005 | EF0 | 66 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: MURPHY COMPLEX (64,407 acres, 2011).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2011 | MURPHY COMPLEX | 64,407 | 13 km |
| 2017 | SAWMILL | 47,357 | 46 km |
| 2002 | RYAN | 36,922 | 47 km |
| 2022 | CONTRERAS | 31,297 | 74 km |
| 2011 | MONUMENT | 30,219 | 72 km |
| 2009 | ELK HORN | 22,745 | 62 km |
| 2002 | WALKER | 17,438 | 19 km |
| 2022 | TONTO CANYON | 16,989 | 20 km |
| 2005 | FLORIDA | 16,362 | 29 km |
| 2011 | BULL | 16,339 | 20 km |
| 1988 | PEAK | 16,078 | 71 km |
| 2016 | BROWN | 15,681 | 62 km |
| 1994 | RINCON | 15,472 | 88 km |
| 2020 | ENCINOS | 14,145 | 63 km |
| 2022 | SAN RAFAEL | 12,203 | 39 km |
| 2012 | CAMPINI | 11,893 | 64 km |
| 2023 | BEEHIVE | 11,087 | 15 km |
| 2013 | SOLDIER BASIN | 11,052 | 22 km |
| 2016 | LA SIERRA | 11,035 | 21 km |
| 1986 | SASABE | 10,734 | 50 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 47°F (8°C) | 1.1 in | Coldest |
| February | 52°F (11°C) | 0.9 in | |
| March | 55°F (13°C) | 1.0 in | |
| April | 61°F (16°C) | 0.3 in | |
| May | 68°F (20°C) | 0.2 in | Driest |
| June | 77°F (25°C) | 0.5 in | |
| July | 80°F (27°C) | 4.7 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 78°F (26°C) | 3.7 in | |
| September | 75°F (24°C) | 2.0 in | |
| October | 66°F (19°C) | 1.3 in | |
| November | 56°F (13°C) | 0.8 in | |
| December | 49°F (10°C) | 1.7 in |
Rio Rico has a seasonal temperature swing of 33°F / from 47°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 18.1 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.7") and May the driest (0.2").