Snow does fall in Tucson, Arizona, though the occurrence is extremely rare in the metropolitan area. Tucson has a warm, dry desert climate, meaning winter conditions are typically mild with low average precipitation. Measurable snowfall is an infrequent event on the valley floor, but the possibility for flakes to fall exists during the coldest winter months.
The Definitive Answer: City Snowfall Rarity
Snowfall is minimal on the valley floor, which sits at an elevation of approximately 2,400 feet above sea level. For precipitation to turn to snow at this lower elevation, a rare combination of cold air and moisture must align perfectly. The average annual snowfall recorded at Tucson International Airport is near zero. When snow does occur, it is generally a light dusting that melts quickly upon contact with the relatively warm ground or within a few hours of sunrise. Accumulation exceeding an inch is highly unusual for the main metro area.
The Nearby Reality: Snow in the Mountains
A dramatic climatic contrast exists just a short distance from the city, particularly in the Santa Catalina Mountains. The highest peak, Mount Lemmon, reaches an elevation of 9,157 feet, where a completely different winter environment prevails. This mountain range routinely receives significant winter precipitation as snow, often when the city below is experiencing only rain. The high elevation allows cold air to persist, supporting a true winter season with reliable annual snowfall. Mount Lemmon Ski Valley reports an average annual snowfall that can exceed 180 inches, allowing residents to drive from a mild desert climate to a snow-covered mountain landscape within an hour.
When Tucson Last Saw Significant Snow
The sporadic nature of metropolitan snowfall is best illustrated by historical records. The greatest one-day snowfall ever recorded in the city was 6.8 inches, which occurred on December 8, 1971. More recently, the city saw a notable accumulation of 1.9 inches on February 22, 2019. This event resulted in the temporary coating of desert plants and saguaros, and was the largest snowfall in the city in many years. Such instances are widely photographed and discussed precisely because they are so uncommon, and many winter seasons pass with only a trace amount or no snowfall recorded.