All Countries
Weather & Climate in Sanders, AZ
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Sanders experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 73°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 8.2 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 3.6 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 45. The city sits at an elevation of 5,874 feet.
Temperature
33°F Jan (1°C)
73°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 52.2°F |
| 3% below US avg | |
| January Average | 33°F (1°C) |
| July Average | 73°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 330 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 5,874 ft (1,790 m) |
| Area | 2.4 sq mi (6.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 285/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.2092°N, 109.3191°W |
| Timezone | America/Phoenix |
| County | Apache County County |
| Nearest Airport | Show Low Regional (SOW) 76 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 45.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 78.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 99.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 0.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively High |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Very High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
14 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.9.
| Jan 6, 1998 | 15 km WSW of Joseph City, Arizona | M3.9 | 112 km | 5 km |
| Mar 18, 2025 | 13 km NNE of Clay Springs, Arizona | M3.2 | 118 km | 5 km |
| Sep 23, 2019 | 22 km NNW of Saint Johns, Arizona | M3.1 | 57 km | 5 km |
| Jul 4, 2021 | 24 km SW of Lake Valley, New Mexico | M3.1 | 119 km | 5 km |
| Jun 18, 2022 | 4 km SW of Clay Springs, Arizona | M3.0 | 134 km | 10 km |
| Sep 23, 2013 | 7 km WSW of Pinedale, Arizona | M2.8 | 138 km | 5 km |
| Jun 10, 2020 | 5 km WNW of Tsaile, Arizona | M2.8 | 124 km | 14 km |
| Aug 10, 2019 | 5 km E of Bluewater Village, New Mexico | M2.8 | 127 km | 5 km |
| Jan 1, 2021 | 17 km S of Winslow West, Arizona | M2.7 | 138 km | 5 km |
| Sep 7, 2014 | 4 km WSW of Sun Valley, Arizona | M2.6 | 76 km | 5 km |
| Aug 26, 2024 | 8 km S of Rough Rock, Arizona | M2.6 | 135 km | 5 km |
| May 20, 2024 | 11 km WNW of Ramah, New Mexico | M2.6 | 64 km | 11 km |
| May 8, 2025 | 44 km SSW of San Rafael, New Mexico | M2.6 | 130 km | 8 km |
| Jul 16, 2022 | 11 km NW of Many Farms, Arizona | M2.5 | 140 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
18 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF0.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 7, 2024 | EF0 | 92 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 13, 2022 | EF0 | 96 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 17, 2021 | EF0 | 19 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Oct 20, 2015 | EF0 | 64 km | 6.9 mi | 0 |
| Sep 1, 2011 | EF0 | 82 km | 1.2 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 2009 | EF0 | 45 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 25, 2005 | EF0 | 23 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 16, 2005 | EF0 | 79 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 16, 2005 | EF0 | 86 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 23, 2005 | EF0 | 64 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 3, 2003 | EF0 | 81 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 9, 2003 | EF0 | 29 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 29, 2001 | EF0 | 85 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 22, 1997 | EF0 | 86 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Oct 27, 1974 | EF0 | 57 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 20, 1973 | EF0 | 93 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Oct 17, 1962 | EF0 | 59 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 10, 1960 | EF0 | 96 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
2 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Red Hill (116 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Red Hill | Volcanic field | 2,300 m (7,546 ft) | -9450 | 116 km |
| Zuni-Bandera | Volcanic field | 2,550 m (8,366 ft) | -1170 | 129 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
16 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: WOOD SPRINGS 2 (13,208 acres, 2020).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2020 | WOOD SPRINGS 2 | 13,208 | 77 km |
| 2005 | LITTLE WATER1 | 4,342 | 96 km |
| 2009 | SAWMILL ROAD RX | 3,411 | 71 km |
| 2007 | OAK RIDGE 3 | 2,959 | 37 km |
| 1996 | ALLENTOWN5 | 2,653 | 12 km |
| 2010 | FLUTED ROCK LAKE RX | 2,630 | 80 km |
| 2006 | KINLICHEE CANYON 1 | 2,283 | 59 km |
| 1996 | HDSCRABBLE | 2,217 | 28 km |
| 2022 | RANCH | 2,189 | 98 km |
| 2005 | KINLICHEE | 1,949 | 58 km |
| 2011 | CATTAIL CANYON JACKPOT BURN | 1,801 | 91 km |
| 2006 | KINLICHEE 2 | 1,738 | 56 km |
| 2006 | FOREST UNIT | 1,408 | 72 km |
| 2001 | 9400 FMZ | 1,312 | 80 km |
| 2005 | OAK RIDGE | 1,309 | 46 km |
| 2009 | JARALOSA | 1,143 | 59 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 33°F (1°C) | 0.6 in | |
| February | 37°F (3°C) | 0.6 in | |
| March | 42°F (6°C) | 0.7 in | |
| April | 49°F (9°C) | 0.5 in | |
| May | 57°F (14°C) | 0.4 in | Driest |
| June | 67°F (19°C) | 0.4 in | |
| July | 73°F (23°C) | 1.5 in | Warmest |
| August | 71°F (22°C) | 1.8 in | Wettest |
| September | 65°F (18°C) | 1.2 in | |
| October | 53°F (12°C) | 1.2 in | |
| November | 41°F (5°C) | 0.8 in | |
| December | 33°F (0°C) | 0.7 in | Coldest |
Sanders has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 33°F in December to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 10.3 inches, with August being the wettest month (1.8") and May the driest (0.4").