What should you know about Mesa's weather?
- NWS office
- Phoenix (PSR)
- Climate
- Hot desert
- Time zone
- MST, no DST
- Elevation
- 1,240 ft
- Coordinates
- 33.42° N, 111.83° W
- Nearest radar
- KIWA · Phoenix NEXRAD · 13 mi
- County
- Maricopa County, AZ
- Yearly rain
- 7.2 in
- Warmest month
- July · 95.5°F average
- Coldest month
- December · 55.8°F average
- Severe storm peak
- Jul to Sep
How much rain does Mesa get each month?
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 67.6 | 70.8 | 78.1 | 85.5 | 94.5 | 104.2 | 106.5 | 105.1 | 100.4 | 89.2 | 76.5 | 66.2 |
| Low °F | 46.0 | 49.0 | 54.5 | 60.8 | 69.5 | 78.6 | 84.5 | 83.6 | 78.1 | 65.6 | 53.7 | 45.3 |
| Rain (in) | 0.87 | 0.87 | 0.83 | 0.22 | 0.13 | 0.02 | 0.91 | 0.93 | 0.57 | 0.56 | 0.57 | 0.74 |
| Month | High °F | Low °F | Rain (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 67.6 | 46.0 | 0.87 |
| Feb | 70.8 | 49.0 | 0.87 |
| Mar | 78.1 | 54.5 | 0.83 |
| Apr | 85.5 | 60.8 | 0.22 |
| May | 94.5 | 69.5 | 0.13 |
| Jun | 104.2 | 78.6 | 0.02 |
| Jul | 106.5 | 84.5 | 0.91 |
| Aug | 105.1 | 83.6 | 0.93 |
| Sep | 100.4 | 78.1 | 0.57 |
| Oct | 89.2 | 65.6 | 0.56 |
| Nov | 76.5 | 53.7 | 0.57 |
| Dec | 66.2 | 45.3 | 0.74 |
PHOENIX SKY HARBOR INTL AP, AZ US · 10 mi away · NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991 to 2020
What can Mesa weather radar show when a storm threatens Falcon Field?
It can show a storm approaching the airport, but the rainfall layer alone cannot measure its damaging surface gusts. In the September supercell reviewed by NWS Phoenix, small planes at Falcon Field Municipal Airport were damaged or flipped and hangars suffered roof and door damage. The archived velocity imagery showed winds spreading apart, supporting straight-line wind damage. Take shelter based on official warnings rather than waiting for a particular rain color to reach you.
Can a tornado occur near downtown outside the monsoon?
Yes, a Pacific storm produced a weak tornado near downtown Mesa during a late-winter event. NWS Phoenix describes a storm that began rotating after forming near South Mountain and moving across Tempe toward Mesa. Its archived rainfall imagery briefly showed a hook-like shape, while velocity data showed weak rotation. A hook is not a requirement for taking a tornado warning seriously, and this precipitation map does not provide a tornado diagnosis.
Can Gateway lose visibility while the main rain stays elsewhere?
Yes, the July dust-storm review documents visibility dropping to zero at Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport while rainfall mainly favored the western metropolitan area. Outflow winds had moved through portions of the East Valley by 7pm. A moving boundary on radar can give context, but it does not supply a visibility measurement for an airport approach or a road. Check current observations before a trip through blowing dust.
Why can an overnight rain complex be a serious flood concern?
Merging thunderstorms can deliver heavy rain before the morning commute begins. The Hurricane Norbert moisture event brought heavy rain into the East Valley overnight, and the NWS Phoenix review documents flooding near Ellsworth and University in Mesa. Its radar animation shows separate storm complexes merging over the metropolitan area. Watch whether rain keeps replenishing over your route and follow closures even after the animation shows the system moving away.
When should you check the Mesa radar?
Summer wind and rain
July to SeptemberUse Recker Road as a map reference when following an approaching storm. A compact rain core may accompany damaging gusts, so finish outdoor tasks before the storm reaches the area.
Winter storm passages
November to MarchBefore a walk on Merkle Trail at Usery Mountain Regional Park, check for a broader precipitation shield approaching the park. Carry a rain layer and compare the trail forecast with the city forecast when a cool storm is expected.
What else do people ask about the Mesa radar?
Which NWS office and radar cover Mesa?
NWS Phoenix (PSR) issues forecasts and warnings for Mesa. The nearest NEXRAD radar is KIWA, about 13 miles from the city center.
How often does the radar on this page update?
The radar loop on this page updates every 5 minutes.
Is this page an official warning service?
No. It shows radar and forecasts only. For warnings, follow NWS Phoenix and local emergency alerts.
Quick facts
- Radar: KIWA (Phoenix NEXRAD), a new frame every 5 minutes
- Forecasts and warnings: NWS Phoenix (PSR)
- Severe storms peak from July to September (NOAA Storm Events, 1996 to 2025)
- Clocks stay on MST all year
- Radar: KIWA, a new frame every 5 minutes
- Warnings: NWS Phoenix (PSR)
- Severe storms: July to September
- MST all year
Where does this data come from?
- NOAA NEXRAD radar via Iowa Environmental Mesonet
- National Weather Service, Phoenix office
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991 to 2020: PHOENIX SKY HARBOR INTL AP, AZ US
- NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, 1996 to 2025
- USGS Elevation Point Query Service
- GOES-East satellite imagery
- Open-Meteo forecast API
- OpenStreetMap contributors
- NWS Phoenix: September 2023 supercell and Falcon Field damage
- NWS Phoenix: March 2014 Mesa tornado
- NWS Phoenix: July 2014 dust storm
- NWS Phoenix: September 2014 flooding
- Maricopa County: Regional parks and trails
- National Weather Service: Arizona hazardous weather climatology