Tucson, AZ is a city located in the southeastern part of Arizona, known for its beautiful desert landscapes and rich cultural heritage. This city experiences a dry desert climate, with dry weather prevailing for most of the year.

However, during the summer monsoon season, sudden heavy rains and thunderstorms can occur. In this blog post, we will take a closer look at Tucson's annual average number of rainy days, monthly average rainfall, annual average snowfall, monthly average snowfall, highest recorded rainfall and snowfall, and climate characteristics.

Annual Average Number of Rainy Days

Tucson receives an average of about 35 days of rain per year. This is relatively low compared to other major cities in Arizona. Rainfall is mainly concentrated in the spring and summer monsoon season, with short and intense downpours occurring frequently in the summer. In winter, rainfall is relatively less, but it still remains dry.

Monthly Average Rainfall

The monthly average rainfall in Tucson varies greatly depending on the season and the monsoon. The average rainfall for each month is as follows:

  • January: About 1.5 inches of rain.
  • February: About 1.7 inches of rain.
  • March: About 2.3 inches of rain.
  • April: About 1.2 inches of rain.
  • May: About 0.9 inches of rain.
  • June: About 0.5 inches of rain.
  • July: About 0.4 inches of rain.
  • August: About 0.5 inches of rain.
  • September: About 1.0 inch of rain.
  • October: About 0.8 inches of rain.
  • November: About 1.0 inch of rain.
  • December: About 1.3 inches of rain.

Main Features:

  • Spring (March to May): In spring, rainfall gradually decreases, and dry weather prevails. However, in March, strong thunderstorms can occur due to the influence of the monsoon.

  • Summer (June to August): Summer is the monsoon season, with frequent short and intense thunderstorms. These heavy rains can lead to flooding risks due to the large amount of rain falling in a short time.

  • Autumn (September to November): In autumn, rainfall increases again, especially in September and November, where rainfall may increase due to the influence of the monsoon.

  • Winter (December to February): Winter is relatively dry, but there are days with rain. Snowfall is rare, and mild temperatures persist.


Highest Recorded Rainfall: The highest recorded rainfall in Tucson occurred on May 15, 1916, during a heavy rainstorm that brought 11 inches (about 280mm) of rain. This amount of rainfall was concentrated over a short period, resulting in severe flooding and inundation in the area.

Annual Average Snowfall

Tucson primarily has a desert climate, so a small amount of snow may fall when cold weather or high altitudes occur.

Climate Characteristics

Tucson has an expansive desert climate, with dry weather prevailing for most of the year. Here are the climate characteristics of Tucson:

  • Desert Climate: Tucson has a Dry Desert Climate, characterized by very low annual rainfall and predominantly dry weather. In summer, it experiences very high temperatures and low humidity.

  • Monsoon Influence: In summer, the influence of the northwestern monsoon can lead to short and intense thunderstorms, accompanied by sudden heavy rains. This increases the risk of flooding and inundation.

  • Temperature Variation: Tucson records very hot temperatures in summer, while maintaining mild temperatures in winter. Extreme temperature variations are rare, but temperatures can drop sharply at night.


Tucson's climate features the characteristics of a desert climate, with an average of 35 rainy days per year and monthly average rainfall varying according to the season and monsoon influence.