Climate - Tucson (Arizona)
Average weather, temperature, rainfall, sunshine hours
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Climate chart - Tucson (Arizona)
The climate of Tucson is subtropical semi-desert, with very mild winters and very hot summers, with the sun shining all year round but also some rain in summer.
The city is located in the southwest of the United States, in Arizona, at an altitude of 750 meters (2,450 feet) and 225 km (140 miles) away from the Gulf of California, from where humid air masses can arrive in summer, bringing some rainfall: we are in fact in the area of the Sonoran Desert, which is affected by the North American monsoon.
The Santa Cruz River, which runs through the city, is dry most of the year, although works are underway to increase its flow.
A bit of wind can blow all year round, but especially in spring, when clashes between air masses are more frequent, and still more in summer, when even sandstorms can occur.
The average temperature of the coldest month (December) is of 11.7 °C (53 °F), that of the warmest month (July) is of 31.2 °C (88 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
Tucson - Average temperatures (1991-2020) | Month | Min (°C) | Max (°C) | Mean (°C) | Min (°F) | Max (°F) | Mean (°F) |
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| January | 4.9 | 19.2 | 12 | 41 | 66 | 53.6 |
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| February | 6.2 | 20.7 | 13.4 | 43 | 69 | 56.2 |
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| March | 8.9 | 24.3 | 16.6 | 48 | 76 | 61.9 |
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| April | 11.8 | 28.3 | 20.1 | 53 | 83 | 68.1 |
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| May | 16.6 | 33.2 | 24.9 | 62 | 92 | 76.8 |
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| June | 21.7 | 38.4 | 30.1 | 71 | 101 | 86.2 |
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| July | 24.6 | 37.9 | 31.2 | 76 | 100 | 88.2 |
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| August | 24 | 37 | 30.5 | 75 | 99 | 86.9 |
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| September | 21.3 | 35.1 | 28.2 | 70 | 95 | 82.8 |
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| October | 15 | 30.2 | 22.6 | 59 | 86 | 72.6 |
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| November | 8.8 | 23.9 | 16.4 | 48 | 75 | 61.5 |
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| December | 4.7 | 18.6 | 11.7 | 40 | 66 | 53 |
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| Year | 14.1 | 28.9 | 21.45 | 57.4 | 84.1 | 70.5 |
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Precipitation amounts to 270 millimeters (10.6 inches) per year: it is therefore scarce. It ranges from 5 mm (0.2 in) in the driest months (April, May, June) to 55 mm (2.2 in) in the wettest (July). Here is the average precipitation.
Tucson - Average precipitation| Month | Millimeters | Inches | Days |
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| January | 20 | 0.8 | 4 |
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| February | 20 | 0.8 | 4 |
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| March | 15 | 0.6 | 3 |
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| April | 5 | 0.2 | 2 |
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| May | 5 | 0.2 | 1 |
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| June | 5 | 0.2 | 2 |
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| July | 55 | 2.2 | 9 |
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| August | 50 | 2 | 8 |
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| September | 35 | 1.4 | 4 |
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| October | 15 | 0.6 | 3 |
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| November | 15 | 0.6 | 2 |
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| December | 25 | 1 | 4 |
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| Year | 270 | 10.6 | 47 |
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The winter, from December to February, is mild and sunny by day, but at night it is often cold, and the temperature can approach the freezing point. The rains are rare and not abundant.
There may be warm periods even in the middle of winter, during which the temperature can reach or exceed 25 °C (77 °F).
However, there may also be short cold spells, in which the temperature drops below freezing, usually down to -5/-6 °C (21/23 °F), while during the day it remains about 5/6 °C (41/43 °F).
In recent decades, the record is -8 °C (17.5 °F), recorded in February 2011, when there was also a day with a maximum of 3 °C (37.5 °F).
Snow in Tucson is rare. Sometimes you can see a slight accumulation in the early hours of the day, although the snow melts during the day because the temperature almost always reaches 8/9 °C (46/48 °F) even in these cold periods.
The summer, from June to September, is very hot, and is divided into two periods. In the first period, in June, torrid heat reigns, with sun and dry air. In the second period, from the beginning of July to September (but the start and end date can vary according to the years), humidity and cloudiness increase, and thunderstorms can break out, which can sometimes cause flash floods. Even in the second half of summer, however, there may be periods without rain.
Spring and autumn, from March to May and in the months of October and November, are sunny seasons. In May, it is often very hot, so much so that the temperature can reach 40 °C (104 °F). Even in early October it can get very hot, while in March and November, it can get cold at night.
On average, there are around 3,805 sunshine hours per year. Tucson is one of the sunniest cities in the United States. The sun shines on average 86% of the time, with a high of 92-94% from April to June, and a low of 79% in July (due to the North American monsoon) and in December. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.
Tucson - Sunshine hours| Month | Average | Total |
|---|
January | 8.5 | 260 | February | 9 | 260 | March | 10.5 | 320 | April | 12 | 355 | May | 13 | 400 | June | 13 | 395 | July | 11 | 345 | August | 11 | 335 | September | 10.5 | 315 | October | 10 | 305 | November | 9 | 265 | December | 8 | 245 | Year | 10.4 | 3805 |
Around the city there are mountain ranges. The tallest mountain around Tucson is Mount Wrightson, which is located in the Santa Rita Mountains and is 2,881 meters (9,453 feet) high.
In the vicinity of Tucson is the Saguaro National Park, divided into two parts, one to the west and the other to the east of the city. In the west the altitude reaches 1,428 meters (4,685 feet), while in the eastern part, which is home to the Rincon Mountains, it reaches 2,642 meters (8,688 ft).
Best Time
To visit Tucson you can choose the periods from mid-March to mid-April and from mid-October to mid-November.
Tucson - Weather by month
Based on the period 1991-2020
January is generally a mild month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 12.0 °C (54 °F), with a minimum of 4.9 °C (40.8 °F) and a maximum of 19.2 °C (66.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -2 °C (28.5 °F). However, it dropped to -8.3 °C (17.1 °F) in January 2013.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 26 °C (79 °F). However, it reached 30 °C (86 °F) in January 1999.
Precipitation amounts to 20 mm (0.8 in), distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 81% of the time.
The average humidity is 43%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
February is generally a mild month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 13.4 °C (56 °F), with a minimum of 6.2 °C (43.2 °F) and a maximum of 20.7 °C (69.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -0.5 °C (31.5 °F). However, it dropped to -8 °C (17.6 °F) in February 2011.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 28 °C (82.5 °F). However, it reached 32.8 °C (91 °F) in February 2009.
Precipitation amounts to 20 mm (0.8 in), distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 83% of the time.
The average humidity is 39%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
March is generally a very mild month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 16.6 °C (62 °F), with a minimum of 8.9 °C (48 °F) and a maximum of 24.3 °C (75.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 1.5 °C (35 °F). However, it dropped to -4.4 °C (24.1 °F) in March 1992.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31.5 °C (89 °F). However, it reached 35.6 °C (96.1 °F) in March 2013.
Precipitation amounts to 15 mm (0.6 in), distributed over 3 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 10.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 86% of the time.
The average humidity is 31%. Hence, the air is normally dry.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).
April is generally a warm month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 20.1 °C (68 °F), with a minimum of 11.8 °C (53.3 °F) and a maximum of 28.3 °C (82.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 5 °C (41 °F). However, it dropped to 1 °C (33.8 °F) in April 1999.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35 °C (95.5 °F). However, it reached 38.9 °C (102 °F) in April 1992.
Precipitation amounts to only 5 mm (0.2 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 12 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 92% of the time.
The average humidity is 22%. Hence, the air is normally dry.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
May is generally a warm to hot month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 24.9 °C (77 °F), with a minimum of 16.6 °C (61.8 °F) and a maximum of 33.2 °C (91.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 10 °C (50 °F). However, it dropped to 5.6 °C (42.1 °F) in May 1999.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 39 °C (102.5 °F). However, it reached 42.8 °C (109 °F) in May 2005.
Precipitation amounts to only 5 mm (0.2 in), and all occurs in one day.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 13 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 93% of the time.
The average humidity is 19%. Hence, the air is normally dry.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
June is generally a very hot month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 30.1 °C (86 °F), with a minimum of 21.7 °C (71.1 °F) and a maximum of 38.4 °C (101.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 15.5 °C (60 °F). However, it dropped to 10.6 °C (51.1 °F) in June 1993.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 43 °C (109.5 °F). However, it reached 46.7 °C (116.1 °F) in June 1994.
Precipitation amounts to only 5 mm (0.2 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 10 minutes. So the days are long. June 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 13 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 93% of the time.
The average humidity is 17%. Hence, the air is normally dry.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
July, the hottest month of the year, is generally a very hot month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 31.2 °C (88 °F), with a minimum of 24.6 °C (76.3 °F) and a maximum of 37.9 °C (100.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 20 °C (68 °F). However, it dropped to 15 °C (59 °F) in July 1992.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 43 °C (109 °F). However, it reached 45.6 °C (114.1 °F) in July 1995.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 11 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 79% of the time.
The average humidity is 37%.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
August is generally a very hot month. The average temperature is of 30.5 °C (87 °F), with a minimum of 24 °C (75.2 °F) and a maximum of 37 °C (98.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 20.5 °C (68.5 °F). However, it dropped to 17.2 °C (63 °F) in August 1992.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 41.5 °C (107 °F). However, it reached 44.4 °C (111.9 °F) in August 1993.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 11 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 81% of the time.
The average humidity is 42%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
September is generally a very hot month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 28.2 °C (83 °F), with a minimum of 21.3 °C (70.4 °F) and a maximum of 35.1 °C (95.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 16 °C (61 °F). However, it dropped to 12 °C (53.6 °F) in September 2004.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 40 °C (103.5 °F). However, it reached 43.3 °C (109.9 °F) in September 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 35 mm (1.4 in), distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 10.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 86% of the time.
The average humidity is 37%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).
October is generally a warm to hot month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 22.6 °C (73 °F), with a minimum of 15 °C (59 °F) and a maximum of 30.2 °C (86.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 7.5 °C (45 °F). However, it dropped to 0 °C (32 °F) in October 2019.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 37 °C (98 °F). However, it reached 40 °C (104 °F) in October 2010.
Precipitation amounts to 15 mm (0.6 in), distributed over 3 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 10 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 87% of the time.
The average humidity is 32%. Hence, the air is normally dry.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
November is generally a very mild month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 16.4 °C (62 °F), with a minimum of 8.8 °C (47.9 °F) and a maximum of 23.9 °C (75.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 0.5 °C (33 °F). However, it dropped to -5 °C (23 °F) in November 2010.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31 °C (87.5 °F). However, it reached 34 °C (93.2 °F) in November 1999.
Precipitation amounts to 15 mm (0.6 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 84% of the time.
The average humidity is 35%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
December, the coldest month of the year, is generally a mild month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 11.7 °C (53 °F), with a minimum of 4.7 °C (40.5 °F) and a maximum of 18.6 °C (65.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -2 °C (28 °F). However, it dropped to -7.2 °C (19 °F) in December 2003.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 26 °C (79 °F). However, it reached 29.4 °C (84.9 °F) in December 1999.
Precipitation amounts to 25 mm (1 in), distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 5 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 79% of the time.
The average humidity is 44%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
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