Weather & Climate in Scottsdale, AZ

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

Scottsdale enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 70°F (21°C). Winters average 47°F in January while summers reach 95°F in July. The area gets 346 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 16.5 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 3.2 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 45. The city sits at an elevation of 2,434 feet.

Temperature

47°F Jan (8°C) 95°F Jul (35°C)

Annual Average	69.8°F
	29% above US avg
January Average	47°F (8°C)
July Average	95°F (35°C)
Sunny Days	346 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	2,434 ft (742 m)
Area	184.0 sq mi (476.6 km²)
Population Density	1,316/sq mi
Coordinates	33.6843°N, 111.8614°W
Timezone	America/Phoenix
County	Maricopa County County
Nearest Airport	Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX) 19 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 16.5"

57% below US avg

Snowfall 3.2"

Wettest Month (Mar) 1.81"

Driest Month (Jun) 0.20"

Air Quality

AQI Median	45.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very High
Risk Score	99.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability	27.1 / 100
Community Resilience	18.0 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Moderate
Hurricane	Very Low
Earthquake	Relatively Moderate
Wildfire	Relatively High
Flood	Very High
Hail	Very High
Strong Wind	Very High
Heat Wave	Very High
Winter Weather	Relatively Low
Lightning	Relatively High
Drought	Relatively High
Cold Wave	No Rating
Landslide	Relatively Low
Avalanche	Very Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

30 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	141 km	5 km
Jan 30, 2005	41 km NNE of Washington Park, Arizona	M4.0	140 km	5 km
Jul 23, 2023	2 km E of Chino Valley, Arizona	M3.8	131 km	5 km
Mar 18, 2011	7 km NNW of Clarkdale, Arizona	M3.8	130 km	5 km
Jan 28, 2005	40 km NE of Washington Park, Arizona	M3.8	139 km	5 km
Jan 23, 2011	7 km NNW of Clarkdale, Arizona	M3.6	130 km	5 km
Feb 8, 2005	37 km NE of Washington Park, Arizona	M3.6	136 km	5 km
Oct 25, 2011	4 km WSW of Paulden, Arizona	M3.5	145 km	5 km
Nov 13, 1991	5 km NW of Prescott Valley, Arizona	M3.5	116 km	5 km
Jul 1, 2005	23 km NE of Washington Park, Arizona	M3.4	123 km	5 km
Jul 1, 2005	37 km NE of Washington Park, Arizona	M3.2	136 km	5 km
May 5, 2015	6 km W of Munds Park, Arizona	M3.1	142 km	7 km
Jun 25, 2010	8 km SW of Roosevelt, Arizona	M3.1	62 km	5 km
May 9, 2009	11 km SSW of Cordes Lakes, Arizona	M3.1	64 km	5 km
Feb 19, 2025	0 km SW of Christopher Creek, Arizona	M3.0	104 km	11 km
Mar 4, 2015	26 km ENE of Bagdad, Arizona	M3.0	146 km	5 km
Feb 8, 2005	41 km NE of Washington Park, Arizona	M2.9	140 km	5 km
Aug 30, 2014	8 km W of Rock House, Arizona	M2.9	77 km	3 km
Sep 9, 2014	6 km SE of Roosevelt, Arizona	M2.9	72 km	3 km
Sep 26, 2010	3 km NNW of Roosevelt, Arizona	M2.8	66 km	5 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

86 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 61 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jan 17, 1993	EF2	8 km	2.1 mi	0
Jun 21, 1972	EF2	27 km	13.5 mi	0
Sep 14, 1971	EF2	46 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 30, 1971	EF2	35 km	4.7 mi	0
Oct 3, 1968	EF2	54 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 4, 1968	EF2	33 km	0.1 mi	0
Nov 19, 2023	EF1	83 km	2.4 mi	0
Jul 29, 2010	EF1	95 km	1.4 mi	0
Feb 13, 1995	EF1	40 km	0.5 mi	0
Jan 18, 1993	EF1	65 km	2.0 mi	0
May 23, 1992	EF1	30 km	0.5 mi	0
Jan 6, 1992	EF1	30 km	1.2 mi	0
Nov 18, 1986	EF1	41 km	0.5 mi	0
Mar 15, 1985	EF1	86 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 9, 1984	EF1	23 km	0.5 mi	0
Jul 22, 1984	EF1	73 km	1.0 mi	0
Aug 16, 1983	EF1	32 km	0.3 mi	0
Aug 8, 1983	EF1	41 km	0.2 mi	0
Sep 5, 1981	EF1	43 km	1.0 mi	0
Mar 25, 1977	EF1	55 km	1.0 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: San Francisco Volcanic Field (186 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
San Francisco Volcanic Field	Pyroclastic cone	3,850 m (12,631 ft)	1075	186 km

Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: CAVE CREEK COMPLEX (246,143 acres, 2005).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2005	CAVE CREEK COMPLEX	246,143	62 km
2020	BUSH	212,542	48 km
2021	TELEGRAPH	187,248	98 km
2019	WOODBURY	130,242	66 km
2004	WILLOW	118,494	58 km
2005	EDGE COMPLEX	69,291	44 km
1996	LONE	60,574	50 km
2021	BACKBONE	41,168	81 km
2017	BROOKLYN	39,780	56 km
2016	JUNIPER	32,293	89 km
2017	GOODWIN	28,192	87 km
2024	SAND STONE	26,470	29 km
2020	SAWTOOTH	23,174	61 km
2024	SKELETON	22,753	56 km
1995	RIO	22,666	9 km
2020	SALT	21,885	89 km
1995	BASIN	21,533	41 km
2012	SUNFLOWER	17,687	47 km
2021	TIGER	16,380	63 km
2012	GLADIATOR	16,096	78 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	47°F (8°C)	1.4 in	Coldest
February	55°F (13°C)	1.5 in
March	58°F (15°C)	1.8 in	Wettest
April	65°F (18°C)	0.6 in
May	74°F (23°C)	0.2 in
June	83°F (28°C)	0.2 in	Driest
July	95°F (35°C)	1.3 in	Warmest
August	87°F (31°C)	1.7 in
September	82°F (28°C)	1.2 in
October	72°F (22°C)	1.0 in
November	59°F (15°C)	1.3 in
December	52°F (11°C)	1.7 in

Scottsdale has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 47°F in January to 95°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 13.9 inches, with March being the wettest month (1.8") and June the driest (0.2").

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