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Weather & Climate in Sells, AZ
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Sells enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 42°F in January while summers reach 70°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 19.9 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 8.0 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 45. The city sits at an elevation of 2,397 feet.
Temperature
42°F Jan (6°C)
70°F Jul (21°C)
| Annual Average | 55.7°F |
| 3% above US avg | |
| January Average | 42°F (6°C) |
| July Average | 70°F (21°C) |
| Sunny Days | 330 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,397 ft (731 m) |
| Area | 9.5 sq mi (24.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 238/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 31.9209°N, 111.8709°W |
| Timezone | America/Phoenix |
| County | Pima County County |
| Nearest Airport | Marana Regional (AVW) 51 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 45.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 99.1 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 50.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 20.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Relatively High |
| Flood | Very High |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Very High |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Very High |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Very 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: M3.1.
| Sep 28, 2023 | 21 km E of Tanque Verde, Arizona | M3.1 | 133 km | 12 km |
| Mar 31, 1996 | 147km ESE of Fortuna Foothills, Arizona | M3.0 | 110 km | 6 km |
| Aug 9, 2025 | 14 km ENE of Willow Canyon, Arizona | M2.6 | 137 km | 12 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
28 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 3 fatalities, 61 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jul 28, 1994 | EF2 | 95 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 27, 1964 | EF2 | 86 km | 0.1 mi | 2 |
| Jul 6, 1992 | EF1 | 95 km | 2.8 mi | 0 |
| Aug 24, 1991 | EF1 | 79 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 16, 1984 | EF1 | 70 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 16, 1984 | EF1 | 97 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 5, 1981 | EF1 | 87 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 23, 1975 | EF1 | 45 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 23, 1974 | EF1 | 82 km | 1.0 mi | 1 |
| Jun 21, 1972 | EF1 | 97 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 16, 1969 | EF1 | 85 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 16, 1967 | EF1 | 91 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 27, 1961 | EF1 | 94 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 22, 1961 | EF1 | 89 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 13, 2023 | EF0 | 66 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 25, 2022 | EF0 | 96 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 16, 2019 | EF0 | 87 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 10, 2019 | EF0 | 56 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 14, 2017 | EF0 | 85 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Oct 8, 2006 | EF0 | 90 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Pinacate (155 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Pinacate | Pyroclastic cone(s) | 1,200 m (3,937 ft) | Unknown | 155 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
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 | 87 km |
| 2022 | CONTRERAS | 31,297 | 25 km |
| 2009 | ELK HORN | 22,745 | 34 km |
| 2002 | WALKER | 17,438 | 99 km |
| 2022 | TONTO CANYON | 16,989 | 92 km |
| 2011 | BULL | 16,339 | 100 km |
| 2016 | BROWN | 15,681 | 34 km |
| 2020 | ENCINOS | 14,145 | 37 km |
| 2023 | BEEHIVE | 11,087 | 82 km |
| 2016 | LA SIERRA | 11,035 | 96 km |
| 1986 | SASABE | 10,734 | 55 km |
| 2021 | ALAMO | 10,478 | 95 km |
| 2016 | MULE RIDGE | 8,619 | 84 km |
| 2008 | WHITE TANK | 8,479 | 79 km |
| 1985 | UNNAMED | 8,047 | 39 km |
| 2007 | ALAMBRE | 7,221 | 28 km |
| 2009 | SAN JUAN | 6,710 | 23 km |
| 2006 | CITY HALL | 6,639 | 43 km |
| 2000 | GUS | 6,509 | 55 km |
| 1985 | SAN IGNACI | 6,377 | 29 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 42°F (6°C) | 0.8 in | Coldest |
| February | 55°F (13°C) | 0.8 in | |
| March | 59°F (15°C) | 0.8 in | |
| April | 65°F (18°C) | 0.3 in | |
| May | 73°F (23°C) | 0.2 in | Driest |
| June | 82°F (28°C) | 0.2 in | |
| July | 70°F (21°C) | 2.2 in | |
| August | 84°F (29°C) | 2.4 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| September | 80°F (27°C) | 1.4 in | |
| October | 70°F (21°C) | 1.0 in | |
| November | 60°F (15°C) | 0.7 in | |
| December | 52°F (11°C) | 1.3 in |
Sells has a seasonal temperature swing of 42°F / from 42°F in January to 84°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 11.9 inches, with August being the wettest month (2.4") and May the driest (0.2").