South Tucson, AZ climate
South Tucson has mild winters and scorching summers, with very little rain. A typical July afternoon reaches 101°, a January night drops to 38°, and snow is almost unheard of.
NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals Updated once a decadeWhat a year in South Tucson feels like
Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall
South Tucson weather by month
Average highs, lows, rain and snow for every month, from NOAA’s 1991–2020 normals.
| Month | High | Low | Rain + melt | Snow | Wet days | Snow on ground | 30-yr range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 67° | 38° | 0.9" | 0 | 4 | 0 | 49° – 58° |
| February | 70° | 41° | 1.0" | 0 | 5 | 0 | 50° – 61° |
| March | 77° | 46° | 0.6" | 0 | 4 | 0 | 55° – 67° |
| April | 84° | 51° | 0.3" | 0 | 2 | 0 | 61° – 72° |
| May | 93° | 59° | 0.2" | 0 | 2 | 0 | 70° – 80° |
| June | 102° | 69° | 0.2" | 0 | 2 | 0 | 80° – 89° |
| July | 101° | 75° | 2.0" | 0 | 7 | 0 | 85° – 91° |
| August | 100° | 74° | 2.3" | 0 | 9 | 0 | 84° – 92° |
| September | 96° | 68° | 1.2" | 0 | 4 | 0 | 78° – 85° |
| October | 87° | 56° | 0.6" | 0 | 3 | 0 | 68° – 76° |
| November | 76° | 45° | 0.6" | 0 | 3 | 0 | 52° – 68° |
| December | 66° | 38° | 1.0" | 0 | 5 | 0 | 48° – 57° |
| Year | 85° | 55° | 10.9" | 0.0" | 48 | 0 |
“Wet days” have at least 0.01" of rain or melted snow. “Snow on ground” counts days with 1" or more. The 30-year range is the coldest and warmest that month’s average temperature got between 1991 and 2020.
Rain and snow in South Tucson
South Tucson gets 11 inches of rain and melted snow a year. August is the wettest month and June the driest. Rain or snow falls on about 48 days a year.
About 293 frost-free days a year
In half of years the last 32° night comes by February 11 and the first one by December 2. That leaves about 293 frost-free days for gardens, longer than 94% of U.S. towns.
Heating and cooling a home in South Tucson
Engineers use “degree days” to estimate how hard a furnace or air conditioner works. In South Tucson, 29% of that work is heating and 71% is cooling, so air conditioning is the bigger bill.
Degree days measure how far each day’s average temperature falls below or rises above 65°, added up over a year. Source: NOAA station normals.
How South Tucson compares
Compared with every U.S. town and city on TownTapestry, each counted once.
Warmer than it used to be
The last 30 years in South Tucson averaged 1.3° warmer than the 1900s. The biggest change is in March (+2.4°). The shift is larger than in 59% of U.S. towns.
Change by month1991–2020 average minus 1901–2000 average, at South Tucson’s spot on NOAA’s grid
How much a month can swing
A normal is an average, and real years wander around it. November swings the most: between 1991 and 2020 its average temperature ranged from 52° to 68°. July is the most reliable, staying within 6°.
Common questions about South Tucson’s climate
What is the coldest month in South Tucson?
December, with a typical high of 66° and a low of 38°.
What is the hottest month in South Tucson?
June, with a typical high of 102° and a low of 69°. About 167 days a year reach 90°.
How much snow does South Tucson get?
Almost none. A normal year brings 0.0 inches.
When is the first frost in South Tucson?
In half of years the first 32° night comes by December 2, and the last spring frost by February 11.
What is the rainiest month in South Tucson?
August, with 2.3 inches of rain and melted snow. The year totals 11 inches.
Temperatures and rainfall come from NOAA’s gridded climate normals for South Tucson itself (about a 3-mile square). Snow, frost dates and day counts come from NOAA’s weather station at Tucson U Of A #1, AZ (5 mi) away. Normals are 30-year averages, not a forecast. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020 and 1901–2000.