Climate in Tucson, Arizona: Monthly Weather Averages
Tucson sits at 2,549 feet above sea level, and its climate, as recorded at the Tucson International Airport, AZ station, runs to a yearly mean of 70.6°F. The warmest month is July, averaging 88.2°F with typical highs of 100.2°F; the coldest is December, averaging 53.0°F with lows around 40.5°F. Across a normal year the city receives 10.6 in of precipitation and 0.1 in of snow. The full month-by-month picture below comes from the official 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals — the 30-year averages the National Weather Service itself uses — so it describes the Tucson climate you should actually plan around, whether you are timing a visit, weighing a move, or just settling an argument about which month is best.
Tucson climate month by month
The table below is the complete 1991–2020 normals profile for Tucson: average high, average low and mean temperature, rainfall, and snowfall for every month. Read down the Mean column to feel the year's rhythm — Tucson's temperature range runs from 53.0°F in December to 88.2°F in July.
| Month | Avg High (°F) | Avg Low (°F) | Mean (°F) | Rain (in) | Snow (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 66.5 | 40.8 | 53.6 | 0.84 | 0.0 |
| February | 69.2 | 43.2 | 56.2 | 0.84 | 0.1 |
| March | 75.8 | 48.0 | 61.9 | 0.56 | 0.0 |
| April | 82.9 | 53.3 | 68.1 | 0.24 | 0.0 |
| May | 91.8 | 61.8 | 76.8 | 0.20 | 0.0 |
| June | 101.2 | 71.1 | 86.1 | 0.23 | 0.0 |
| July | 100.2 | 76.3 | 88.2 | 2.21 | 0.0 |
| August | 98.6 | 75.2 | 86.9 | 1.98 | 0.0 |
| September | 95.1 | 70.4 | 82.8 | 1.32 | 0.0 |
| October | 86.3 | 59.0 | 72.6 | 0.67 | 0.0 |
| November | 75.1 | 47.9 | 61.5 | 0.56 | 0.0 |
| December | 65.5 | 40.5 | 53.0 | 0.96 | 0.0 |
| Year | 84.0 | 57.3 | 70.6 | 10.61 | 0.1 |
How to read the colors:below freezingcoldcoolmildwarmhot. Bands are colored by each cell's own temperature, so a whole year reads at a glance.
Tucson through the seasons
Winter in Tucson averages highs of 65.5–69.2°F and lows of 40.5–43.2°F, a seasonal mean of 54.3°F. The three months together bring 2.6 in of precipitation — about 25% of the city's yearly total — with December the wettest of the three at 0.96 in. Snowfall averages 0.1 in over the season, most of it in February (0.1 in). Winters here are cool rather than harsh: chilly mornings, mild afternoons, and only occasional brushes with freezing weather.
Spring in Tucson averages highs of 75.8–91.8°F and lows of 48.0–61.8°F, a seasonal mean of 68.9°F. The three months together bring 1.0 in of precipitation — about 9% of the city's yearly total — with March the wettest of the three at 0.56 in. The season is a transition: the average temperature climbs 14.9°F from March to May, and by late spring Tucson is firmly into warm territory.
Summer in Tucson averages highs of 98.6–101.2°F and lows of 71.1–76.3°F, a seasonal mean of 87.1°F. The three months together bring 4.4 in of precipitation — about 42% of the city's yearly total — with July the wettest of the three at 2.21 in. This is extreme-heat season: triple-digit average highs are the norm, outdoor plans belong to early mornings and evenings, and air conditioning is a necessity, not a luxury.
Fall in Tucson averages highs of 75.1–95.1°F and lows of 47.9–70.4°F, a seasonal mean of 72.3°F. The three months together bring 2.6 in of precipitation — about 24% of the city's yearly total — with September the wettest of the three at 1.32 in. Temperatures ease off through the season — the monthly mean drops 21.3°F from September to November — and fall is when Tucson's weather turns crisp and dry, while nights stay mostly frost-free into December.
Best and worst months to visit Tucson
Ranking every month by its normals — mild mean temperatures score best, heavy rain and snow count against — the most comfortable months to visit Tucson are:
AprilMayOctober
April leads the list: average highs of 82.9°F, lows of 53.3°F, and 0.24 in of rain, with snow a non-factor at 0.0 in. The other picks, May and October, offer the same balance in Tucson's shoulder seasons. At the other end, July is usually the month to avoid — peak summer heat, with a mean temperature of 88.2°F and 2.21 in of precipitation.
How Tucson compares
Across the 114 cities in our dataset, the typical city averages 57.8°F for the year and 35.7 in of precipitation. Tucson runs 12.9°F warmer than that typical city and drier by 25.0 in a year, ranking #13 of 114 for annual warmth and #108 of 114 for precipitation (wettest first). Its year-round temperature swing — warmest month minus coldest — is 35.2°F, which puts it in the moderate, clearly seasonal camp.
Within Arizona, Tucson is #2 of 3 for warmth of the cities we track. See the Arizona climate overview for the full state comparison, including Phoenix (warmest, 75.6°F yearly mean) and Flagstaff (coolest, 46.8°F).
Planning notes for Tucson
For anyone relocating: average lows never drop below freezing in any month, so hard freezes are events, not seasons; 5 months average highs of 90°F or more, making air conditioning a core cost of summer life; days and nights differ by 26.7°F on average — a big desert-style swing that rewards dressing in layers year-round; 6 months of the year average between 55°F and 80°F, the band most people find comfortable without heating or cooling. Those four facts, all straight from the normals table above, shape everything from a Tucson wardrobe to its utility bills.
Tucson climate FAQ
What is the warmest month in Tucson?
July is the warmest month in Tucson, with a mean temperature of 88.2°F, average highs of 100.2°F and average lows of 76.3°F (1991–2020 normals).
What is the coldest month in Tucson?
December is the coldest month, averaging 53.0°F, with highs of 65.5°F and lows of 40.5°F.
How much rain does Tucson get in a year?
Tucson averages 10.61 in of precipitation a year. The wettest month is July (2.21 in) and the driest is May (0.20 in).
When is the best time of year to visit Tucson?
By the normals, the most comfortable months are April, May, October — mild average temperatures with moderate rainfall. July is typically the least comfortable month.
How much snow does Tucson get?
Tucson averages 0.1 in of snow a year, with February the snowiest month at 0.1 in on average.
Source: 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals, NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) — ncei.noaa.gov. Station: Tucson International Airport, AZ (USW00023160), elevation 2,549 ft. Figures checked October 2026.