Climate data from NOAA/NWS Co-op Network, Evaporation Pan and AZMET stations are complied in Table 3.10-1 and the locations are shown on Figure 3.10-3.  Figure 3.10-3 also shows precipitation contour data from the Spatial Climate Analysis Service (SCAS) at Oregon State University.  The Safford Basin does not contain SNOTEL/Snowcourse stations.  More detailed information on climate is found in Section 3.0.3.  A description of this and other climate data sources and methods is found in Volume 1, Appendix A.  For a link to the climate data source web page click its header.

NOAA/NWS Co-op Network

• Refer to Table 3.10-1A.

• There are nine NOAA/NWS Co-op Network climate stations in the basin.  The average monthly maximum temperature occurs in July at all stations and ranges between 70.4°F at Portal 4 SW to 84.4°F at San Carlos.  The average monthly minimum temperature occurs in December or January and ranges between 37.8°F at Paradise to 46.0°F at Bowie.

• Highest average seasonal rainfall occurs in the summer (July – September).  For the period of record used, the highest annual rainfall is 21.56 inches at Portal 4 SW and the lowest is 9.34 inches at San Carlos. 

Evaporation Pan

• Refer to Table 3.10-1B.
• There is one site at the Safford Agricultural Center.
• This site, at 2,950 feet, has an annual pan evaporation rate of 98.05 inches.

AZMET

• Refer to Table 3.10-1C.
• There are two AZMET stations in the basin at Safford and Bowie.
• Average annual evaporation at the Bowie site, located at 4,416 feet, is 60.64 inches.
• Average annual evaporation at the Safford site, located at 2,956 feet, is 76.50 inches.

SCAS Precipitation Data

• Additional precipitation data shows rainfall as high as 44 inches near Chiricahua Peak, elevation 9,760 feet, and as low as 8 inches in the areas surrounding San Simon and Safford.

Click to view Table 3.10-1 Climate Data for the Safford Basin

Click to view Figure 3.10-3 Safford Basin

Meteorological Stations and Annual Precipitation

Arizona Water Atlas Home

Southeastern Arizona Planning Area Home