Santa Cruz Valley Climate

About half of the rainfall occurs during what is know as the summer monsoon season of July, August and September. This rain comes in from Mexico, in a form of brief, but often heavy, showers and thunderstorms. Winter rains are generally light- moderate, more soaking showers and they come in from the west coast.

The growing season typically begins mid-March or April and ends in September, but can extend into October. Rainfall patterns are extremely spotty and drought occurs about every seven years interspersed with frequent small-scale droughts. Snowfall may occur early as October and as late as April.

Average temperatures decrease as the altitude increases (a rule of thumb is 3 degrees F for each 1,000 feet of altitude). Even the lowest areas are subject to frost during the winter months. June is generally the hottest month; the monsoon rains cool things off a little later in the summer.

The climate chart provides a breakdown comparison of the communities in Southern Arizona and the United States averages. The Captured climate data was calculated by Sperling's BestPlaces. Information was updated in December 2016.

Sperling's BestPlaces

Climate Chart

Hover over the climate categories with cursor pointer for detailed explanations.

CLIMATE	Nogales	Rio Rico	Tubac	Tumacacori	Patagonia	Sonoita	Elgin	Amado	Arivaca	Green Valley	Sahuarita	Tucson	United States
Annual Rainfall	17.8	16.8	15.6	15.8	19.1	17.4	16.6	15.2	19.9	13.9	12.6	12.2	39.2
Annual Snowfall	0.7	0.6	0.7	0.5	1.4	1.6	0.6	1	1.5	0.7	0.6	0.4	25.8
Precipitation Days	38.9	37.7	35.4	35.4	39.5	39.5	42.4	35.4	39.8	31.3	31.3	31.2	102
Sunny Days	288	284	284	284	287	284	284	284	285	280	287	286	205
Summer High	93.5	94.9	96.3	96.1	92.5	90	90.1	97.2	95.2	99.2	99.8	100.2	86.1
Winter Low	31.3	32.5	33.7	33.3	31.2	31.1	30.5	34.5	31.9	36.2	36.8	38.9	22.6
Comfort Index	71	69	69	82	80	87	81	77	66	81	75	78	54
UV Index	6.6	6.6	6.6	6.6	6.6	6.6	6.6	6.6	6.5	6.5	6.5	6.5	4.3
Elevation	3842	4544	3204	3298	4129	4910	4887	3082	2652	2944	2873	2512	1443