Northern Gila County storm history
Storm events recorded in Northern Gila County, Arizona between 1950 and 2025.
83
Total events
0
Tornadoes
0
Hail
1
Floods
2
Deaths
$4.3M
Property damage
Most significant events
Strongest tornadoes, deadliest events, and biggest damage in this county. Up to 50 shown.
The fire started on 7/3 as the result of lightning from isolated thunderstorms in the area. The fire is only accessible by helicopter and 2 hotshot crews were shuttled into the fire by helicopter on 7/3. High sustained winds out of the southwest and low humidity in the fire area …
Northern Gila County received up to 18 inches of snow with this storm. A man froze to death about a mile and a half from his truck north of Young.
The lightning cause Pioneer fire burned over 1,300 acres on the eastern side of the Pinal Mountains about 8 miles south of Globe. Total suppression cost was three million dollars.
Heavy Snow Heavy Snow
Public reported 14.0 inches of snow at 4 WNW Tonto Village, and 8.7 inches of snow at 4 S Washington Park.
Heavy Snow Heavy Snow
Northern Gila County snowfall amounts ranged from 3.0 to 5.0 inches. The most reported was 5.0 inches at Young.
Heavy Snow Heavy Snow
Snow started falling in Washington Park (5,400 feet) at 1100 PM on February 6. Twenty-nine inches fell by the time the snow stopped late morning on February 9th. Strawberry received 24 inches and Pine received 14 inches of snow over 3 days. A location 4 miles south of Washington …
Heavy Snow Heavy Snow
Five inches of snow fell in Payson below 5,000 feet elevation. Tonto Village received 7 inches of new snow at 5,800 feet elevation. Washington Park received 9 inches of new snow at around 5,300 feet elevation. Five inches of snow fell in Young at 5,200 feet MSL.
Heavy Snow Heavy Snow
Washington Park at 6,000 feet northeast of Payson received 19 inches of snow. Pine received 9 inches of snow. Five inches of snow fell in Payson right at the 5,000 foot level. Thirteen inches of snow fell 4 miles NW of Tonto Village at 5,800 feet.
Heavy Snow Heavy Snow
Eleven to fourteen inches of snow fell in Young. Payson received 4.5 inches close to 5000 feet in elevation.
Heavy Snow Heavy Snow
Just over 4 inches (4.3) of snow fell near the Payson Airport at an elevation of 5,100 feet. A spotter 4 miles southeast of Washington Park reported 8 inches of snow by 730 AM on January 2.
Heavy Snow Heavy Snow
Heavy snow fell across northern Gila County including Strawberry 13, Washington Park 8.8, Payson 6.5, 7.0 in Star Valley, and Forest Lakes 16.
High Wind High Wind
A newspaper reported that large ponderosa pine trees were uprooted and snapped off and damaged RVs and the Lodge 5 miles east of Kohls Ranch at 1100 PM. A utility company reported that power poles were down about 4 miles north-northwest of Kohls Ranch around 1151 PM. Power outage…
Wildfire Wildfire
The Backbone Fire was started by lightning on June 16 at around 1130 PM and burned around 40,900 acres by the end of June. The fire was located about 2 miles west of Pine, Arizona in pion, juniper, chaparral, brush, grass, and cactus. About 20 of the fire was in Gila County.
Heavy Snow Heavy Snow
Two 2 inches fell overnight Friday into Saturday (March 12-13) and four 4 inches additional fell on Saturday evening. The elevation was just below 4,800 feet.
Heavy Snow Heavy Snow
Seven to 9 inches of snow fell in Payson. Eleven inches of snow fell in Pine between 5 AM and 430 PM. There was already 5 inches already on the ground at 500 AM.
Heavy Snow Heavy Snow
Nine inches of snow fell 7 miles southwest of Forest Lakes just below the Mogollon Rim in Gila County.
Wildfire Wildfire
The Bush Fire burned over 20,000 acres of ranch land (cattle grazing) in Gila County. Much of the 30 mile pipe line used for providing water to the over 300 head of cattle was burned on just one ranch. Many miles of fence posts were burned. The burned land significantly increased…
Heavy Snow Heavy Snow
Ten inches of snow fell 5 miles east of Kolhs Ranch at about 5,800 feet above MSL.
Heavy Snow Heavy Snow
Rain changed over to snow around 600 AM on November 29 in Star Valley at 48000 feet. Five inches of snow was measured at 1120 AM. A public report of 9.9 inches of new snow was received from Washington Park at 5,400 feet elevation. Twelve inches of snow fell in Strawberry at about…
Heavy Snow Heavy Snow
Four inches of snow fell below 5,000 feet (4,880 feet) in Payson by 730 AM on February 21. Total snowfall amounts for this zone (up to 6,000 feet or more along the Mogollon Rim--great upslope!) include (in inches): Washington Park 35.5, Natural Bridge 32.0, 4 miles south of Pine …
Heavy Snow Heavy Snow
Heavy snow fell across Northern Gila Country from early morning on February 17 well into the evening of February 18. Here are some of the snowfall totals in inches: Washington Park 6-11, Tonto Village 7-9, Payson 6-7, Kohls Ranch 6, and Star Valley 4. The elevation in Payson is r…
Heavy Snow Heavy Snow
Four inches of snow was reported in Payson at an elevation of 4,920 feet elevation. Five inches of snow fell 4 miles southeast of Payson at an elevation of about 4,680 feet. Five inches of snow fell 2 miles northeast of Star Valley at an elevation just below 5,000 feet. Seven inc…
Wildfire Wildfire
The Highline Fire started in June and was considered contained by 1800 on July 7. The Bear Fire and Highline Fire merged to become the Highline Fire.
Excessive Heat Excessive Heat
The high of 104 in Payson on June 19 broke the previous record of 103 last set in 2016. The high of 105 in Payson on June 20 broke the previous record of 103 last set in 2016.
Wildfire Wildfire
The Highline Fire started on June 10 about 8 miles north of Payson. The fire eventually merged with the Bear Fire and, together, burned 9780 acres by July 7.
Heavy Snow Heavy Snow
Heavy snow fell across northern Gila County Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Some snow amounts include (from around 5000 feet to 6600 feet elevation) in inches: Washington Park area 8.0, Kohls Ranch 6.0, Payson 5.4, and Star Valley 4.9.
Wildfire Wildfire
The Cedar Fire started southwest of Show Low on June 15th in Navajo County. The fire burned north-northeast, and east for three days for a total of about 13,000 acres. Then, on June 19th, strong northeast winds caused the fire to jump containment lines and burn 14,000 acres in on…
Wildfire Wildfire
The Juniper Fire started about 10 miles south of Young on May 20th in ponderosa pine, mixed conifer, and oak shrub. The fire burned about 22,800 acres in June for a total of 30,600 acres by June 14.
Wildfire Wildfire
The Juniper Fire started about 10 miles south of Young on May 20th in ponderosa pine, mixed conifer, and oak shrub. By the end of May, the fire burned about 7,800 acres.
Heavy Snow Heavy Snow
Four inches of snow fell in Payson at an elevation of around 4800 feet. Six inches of snow fell about one mile northwest of Kohls Ranch at an elevation of around 5800 feet.
Heavy Snow Heavy Snow
Trained spotters reported 14 inches of new snow in Pine by 845 PM and 10 inches in Payson by 930 PM. Tonto Village reported 13.5 inches of snow.
Heavy Snow Heavy Snow
Pine and Payson both received 6 inches of snow. An area 15 miles northeast of Payson received 10 inches of snow.
Heavy Snow Heavy Snow
Strong upslope flow enhanced snowfall over Northern Gila County along the Mogollon Rim. Snowfall amounts (in inches) include: Strawberry/Pine 8-10, Payson 6-9, Tonto Village 8.5, and Whispering Pines 8-9.
Heavy Snow Heavy Snow
Heavy snow fell across northern Gila County with the lower elevations reaching heavy snow criteria sooner than higher elevations. Snowfall totals include (in inches): Whispering Pines 20, Tonto Village 16, Pine (5800 feet) 10, Payson (14 NNE) 12, Tonto Natural Bridge 9.2, and Pay…
Heavy Snow Heavy Snow
Over eight inches of snow fell just north and northeast of Payson.
The Poco Fire was reported at 233 PM on June 14 about six miles northeast of Young, Arizona. The fire grew to 11, 950 acres before it was declared contained on July 5. Containment cost were estimated to be 9 million dollars. This area experienced several flash floods and debris f…
Heavy Snow Heavy Snow
Payson and Pine both received 7 inches of snow.
Heavy Snow Heavy Snow
Fifteen inches of snow fell in Pine.
Heavy Snow Heavy Snow
Snow reports around northern Gila County ranged form 3 inches in Payson to 7 inches in Pine.
Heavy Snow Heavy Snow
Seven inches of snow fell in Young at an elevation of 5200 feet.
Heavy Snow Heavy Snow
Nine inches of snow fell 14 miles northeast of Payson.
Cold/Wind Chill Cold/Wind Chill
The Payson Roundup newspaper reported at least 48 cases of frozen water pipes in and around the Payson area.
Heavy Snow Heavy Snow
Heavy snow fell across northern Gila December 29th through the 30th. Total snowfall amounts include: Pine and Christopher Creek both had 16, 18 miles east of Payson 12, Star Valley 9, and Payson 6.5-7.3. State Route 87 was closed just south of Payson while a multiple car collisio…
Debris Flow Debris Flow
Heavy rain from a thunderstorm triggered a mudslide eight miles west of Kohls Ranch. Mud crossed Highway 260 at mile post 264.
Winter Storm Winter Storm
Payson received at least 7 inches of snow and Pine received at least 25 inches of snow.
Heavy Snow Heavy Snow
Heavy snow and strong winds were felt across northern Gila County. The snow level remained above 5000 feet. Tonto Village received 6 inches of snow. Power went out in the town of Pine.
Heavy Snow Heavy Snow
Payson received 6 inches of new snow.
High Wind High Wind
Strong winds caused extensive damage to the roof and porch of the Humane Society of Central Arizona in Payson early morning on December 8th as a strong cold front passed. The winds peeled the tin roof back, tore off shingles, and blew off two swamp coolers.
Wildfire Wildfire
The lightning caused Pioneer Fire burned about 1,300 acres on the eastern side of the Pinal Mountains (East Mountain) about 8 miles south of Globe. The total cost for suppression was three million dollars.
Heavy Snow Heavy Snow
Six inches of snow fell in Payson and Star Valley. Fifteen inches of snow fell in Tonto Village. Highways 87, 260, and 60 were closed because road crews could not keep up with the heavy snow. Schools were closed and trash pick up was canceled. A dozen garbage trucks were used to …
Events by year
| Year | Events | Tornadoes |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 0 |
| 2024 | 2 | 0 |
| 2023 | 3 | 0 |
| 2022 | 2 | 0 |
| 2021 | 4 | 0 |
| 2020 | 2 | 0 |
| 2019 | 4 | 0 |
| 2018 | 1 | 0 |
| 2017 | 3 | 0 |
| 2016 | 4 | 0 |
| 2015 | 1 | 0 |
| 2014 | 1 | 0 |
| 2013 | 3 | 0 |
| 2012 | 3 | 0 |
| 2011 | 5 | 0 |
| 2010 | 4 | 0 |
| 2009 | 8 | 0 |
| 2008 | 6 | 0 |
| 2007 | 1 | 0 |
| 2006 | 3 | 0 |
| 2005 | 1 | 0 |
| 2004 | 6 | 0 |
| 2003 | 3 | 0 |
| 2002 | 1 | 0 |
| 2001 | 4 | 0 |
| 2000 | 2 | 0 |
| 1999 | 2 | 0 |
| 1997 | 1 | 0 |
| 1996 | 1 | 0 |