Weather & Climate in Tonto Basin, AZ

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

Tonto Basin enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 66°F (19°C). Winters average 47°F in January while summers reach 88°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 16.0 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 2,272 feet.

Temperature

47°F Jan (8°C) 88°F Jul (31°C)

Annual Average	66.3°F
	23% above US avg
January Average	47°F (8°C)
July Average	88°F (31°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	2,272 ft (693 m)
Area	31.3 sq mi (81.1 km²)
Population Density	50/sq mi
Coordinates	33.8433°N, 111.3016°W
Timezone	America/Phoenix
County	Gila County County
Nearest Airport	Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX) 50 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 16.0"

58% below US avg

Wettest Month (Aug) 2.52"

Driest Month (Jun) 0.28"

Air Quality

AQI Median	45.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	90.2 / 100
Social Vulnerability	86.7 / 100
Community Resilience	6.4 / 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 Moderate
Winter Weather	Relatively High
Lightning	Relatively High
Drought	Very 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

40 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	102 km	5 km
Jan 30, 2005	41 km NNE of Washington Park, Arizona	M4.0	105 km	5 km
Jan 6, 1998	15 km WSW of Joseph City, Arizona	M3.9	140 km	5 km
Jul 23, 2023	2 km E of Chino Valley, Arizona	M3.8	145 km	5 km
Jan 28, 2005	40 km NE of Washington Park, Arizona	M3.8	100 km	5 km
Mar 18, 2011	7 km NNW of Clarkdale, Arizona	M3.8	132 km	5 km
Jan 23, 2011	7 km NNW of Clarkdale, Arizona	M3.6	132 km	5 km
Feb 8, 2005	37 km NE of Washington Park, Arizona	M3.6	98 km	5 km
Nov 13, 1991	5 km NW of Prescott Valley, Arizona	M3.5	132 km	5 km
Jul 1, 2005	23 km NE of Washington Park, Arizona	M3.4	85 km	5 km
Mar 18, 2025	13 km NNE of Clay Springs, Arizona	M3.2	120 km	5 km
Jan 8, 2012	28 km SW of Winslow West, Arizona	M3.2	114 km	5 km
Jul 1, 2005	37 km NE of Washington Park, Arizona	M3.2	97 km	5 km
May 5, 2015	6 km W of Munds Park, Arizona	M3.1	129 km	7 km
Jun 25, 2010	8 km SW of Roosevelt, Arizona	M3.1	28 km	5 km
May 9, 2009	11 km SSW of Cordes Lakes, Arizona	M3.1	88 km	5 km
Jun 18, 2022	4 km SW of Clay Springs, Arizona	M3.0	105 km	10 km
Feb 19, 2025	0 km SW of Christopher Creek, Arizona	M3.0	58 km	11 km
Feb 8, 2005	41 km NE of Washington Park, Arizona	M2.9	101 km	5 km
Aug 30, 2014	8 km W of Rock House, Arizona	M2.9	33 km	3 km

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

Tornado History

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

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jan 17, 1993	EF2	61 km	2.1 mi	0
Jun 21, 1972	EF2	77 km	13.5 mi	0
Sep 14, 1971	EF2	100 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 30, 1971	EF2	78 km	4.7 mi	0
Jul 4, 1968	EF2	64 km	0.1 mi	0
Nov 19, 2023	EF1	45 km	2.4 mi	0
Jul 10, 2021	EF1	84 km	1.3 mi	0
Oct 6, 2010	EF1	71 km	14.1 mi	0
Jul 14, 1996	EF1	76 km	0.1 mi	0
Feb 13, 1995	EF1	66 km	0.5 mi	0
Jan 18, 1993	EF1	86 km	2.0 mi	0
May 23, 1992	EF1	82 km	0.5 mi	0
Jan 6, 1992	EF1	82 km	1.2 mi	0
Nov 18, 1986	EF1	52 km	0.5 mi	0
Mar 15, 1985	EF1	99 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 9, 1984	EF1	78 km	0.5 mi	0
Aug 16, 1983	EF1	82 km	0.3 mi	0
Aug 8, 1983	EF1	95 km	0.2 mi	0
Sep 5, 1981	EF1	96 km	1.0 mi	0
May 4, 1976	EF1	54 km	2.0 mi	0

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

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: San Francisco Volcanic Field (171 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
San Francisco Volcanic Field	Pyroclastic cone	3,850 m (12,631 ft)	1075	171 km

Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: RODEO (461,774 acres, 2002).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2002	RODEO	461,774	89 km
2005	CAVE CREEK COMPLEX	246,143	69 km
2020	BUSH	212,542	7 km
2021	TELEGRAPH	187,248	73 km
2019	WOODBURY	130,242	38 km
2004	WILLOW	118,494	35 km
2021	MESCAL	79,346	92 km
2005	EDGE COMPLEX	69,291	11 km
2020	GRIFFIN	61,455	71 km
1996	LONE	60,574	17 km
2021	BACKBONE	41,168	70 km
2017	BROOKLYN	39,780	75 km
2016	JACK	35,926	96 km
2017	HILLTOP	32,983	93 km
2016	JUNIPER	32,293	35 km
2020	BLUE RIVER	29,314	96 km
2024	SAND STONE	26,470	26 km
1990	DUDE	25,080	61 km
2020	SAWTOOTH	23,174	51 km
2024	SKELETON	22,753	77 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	47°F (8°C)	2.2 in
February	49°F (9°C)	1.9 in
March	53°F (11°C)	2.4 in
April	59°F (15°C)	0.8 in
May	68°F (20°C)	0.4 in
June	77°F (25°C)	0.3 in	Driest
July	88°F (31°C)	2.0 in	Warmest
August	82°F (28°C)	2.5 in	Wettest
September	76°F (25°C)	1.8 in
October	66°F (19°C)	1.7 in
November	54°F (12°C)	1.8 in
December	46°F (8°C)	2.2 in	Coldest

Tonto Basin has a seasonal temperature swing of 42°F / from 46°F in December to 88°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 20.2 inches, with August being the wettest month (2.5") and June the driest (0.3").

View full profile of Tonto Basin, AZ →