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Weather & Climate in Why, AZ
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Why has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 74°F (23°C). Winters average 56°F in January while summers reach 92°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 7.0 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 1,811 feet.
Temperature
56°F Jan (13°C)
92°F Jul (33°C)
| Annual Average | 73.5°F |
| 36% above US avg | |
| January Average | 56°F (13°C) |
| July Average | 92°F (33°C) |
| Sunny Days | 330 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,811 ft (552 m) |
| Area | 9.0 sq mi (23.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 10/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 32.2590°N, 112.7306°W |
| Timezone | America/Phoenix |
| County | Pima County County |
| Nearest Airport | Marana Regional (AVW) 89 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
10 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.0.
| Jul 4, 1994 | 37 km N of Puerto Peñasco, Mexico | M4.0 | 98 km | 10 km |
| Aug 8, 2000 | 39 km S of Dateland, Arizona | M3.5 | 73 km | 5 km |
| Jan 17, 2001 | 69km ESE of Fortuna Foothills, AZ | M3.2 | 95 km | 6 km |
| Mar 31, 1996 | 147km ESE of Fortuna Foothills, Arizona | M3.0 | 38 km | 6 km |
| Feb 20, 2010 | 122km ESE of Estacion Coahuila, B.C., MX | M2.9 | 134 km | 6 km |
| Apr 15, 1993 | 154km SE of Estacion Coahuila, B.C., MX | M2.8 | 147 km | 6 km |
| Jan 11, 2000 | 92km ESE of Estacion Coahuila, B.C., MX | M2.7 | 142 km | 6 km |
| Jul 6, 2025 | 44 km E of Golfo de Santa Clara, Mexico | M2.7 | 139 km | 10 km |
| Aug 17, 1993 | 154km SE of Estacion Coahuila, B.C., MX | M2.7 | 137 km | 6 km |
| Jul 1, 1992 | 115km SE of Estacion Coahuila, B.C., MX | M2.7 | 141 km | 6 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
10 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 2 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Aug 4, 1957 | EF3 | 79 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 5, 1981 | EF1 | 87 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 5, 1981 | EF1 | 77 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 1, 1969 | EF1 | 83 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 22, 1961 | EF1 | 79 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 16, 2019 | EF0 | 97 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 4, 2004 | EF0 | 75 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 14, 1995 | EF0 | 77 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 12, 1982 | EF0 | 77 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Aug 29, 1957 | EF0 | 81 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Pinacate (90 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Pinacate | Pyroclastic cone(s) | 1,200 m (3,937 ft) | Unknown | 90 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: GOLDWATER (56,690 acres, 2005).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2005 | GOLDWATER | 56,690 | 48 km |
| 2005 | GROWLER PEAK | 28,182 | 51 km |
| 2005 | SAND TANK COMPLEX (SAND TANK) | 11,601 | 66 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 9,537 | 64 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 8,179 | 61 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 7,638 | 53 km |
| 2005 | VEKOL | 7,349 | 86 km |
| 2005 | THEBA | 6,351 | 72 km |
| 2004 | CITRUS | 5,915 | 84 km |
| 2005 | TRACKS | 5,641 | 89 km |
| 2005 | CRATER | 3,136 | 50 km |
| 2005 | GUACAMOLE | 2,401 | 96 km |
| 2005 | 2000 | 2,269 | 75 km |
| 2021 | GILA | 2,171 | 99 km |
| 2005 | TOP | 1,496 | 70 km |
| 2005 | SAND TANK COMPLEX (HOME) | 1,470 | 50 km |
| 1984 | COCKLEBUR | 1,373 | 99 km |
| 2006 | SADDLE | 1,170 | 84 km |
| 2023 | GOLDWATER | 1,162 | 54 km |
| 2005 | CAMINO | 1,144 | 84 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 56°F (13°C) | 0.8 in | |
| February | 57°F (14°C) | 0.6 in | |
| March | 61°F (16°C) | 0.6 in | |
| April | 68°F (20°C) | 0.2 in | |
| May | 76°F (24°C) | 0.1 in | Driest |
| June | 85°F (30°C) | 0.1 in | |
| July | 92°F (33°C) | 1.1 in | Warmest |
| August | 88°F (31°C) | 1.5 in | Wettest |
| September | 84°F (29°C) | 1.0 in | |
| October | 73°F (23°C) | 0.8 in | |
| November | 61°F (16°C) | 0.6 in | |
| December | 54°F (12°C) | 1.1 in | Coldest |
Why has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 54°F in December to 92°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 8.5 inches, with August being the wettest month (1.5") and May the driest (0.1").