Soil Temperature in Arizona
The current average 2-inch soil temperature across Arizona is 91°F, based on 5 USDA and NOAA monitoring stations. Readings range from 78°F to 103°F. Last updated July 2, 2026.
Current Planting Conditions
Summer conditions across Arizona with soil averaging 91°F at 2 inches. Warm-season grasses are in peak growth; keep cool-season lawns mowed high and watered deep. The next application windows arrive in fall, starting with pre-emergent as soil falls back through 70°F.
Grass Seed Germination in Arizona
Grass seed germination
Grass seed germination temperatures across Arizona. Soil warmth varies by location, so check a city page for the live reading and what germinates there now.
| Grass species | Germination optimum | Days |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky bluegrass | 59–86°F | 14-30 |
| Tall fescue | 68–86°F | 7-12 |
| Perennial ryegrass | 68–86°F | 5-10 |
| Fine fescue | 59–77°F | 7-14 |
| Bermudagrass | 75–85°F | 10-30 |
Monitoring Stations in Arizona (5)
For root-zone timing (fertilizer, aeration, weed control), see the 4-inch soil temperature for Arizona. For accumulated-heat timing, see growing degree days for Arizona. See the Arizona soil temperature map for the full station view.
| Station | 2" Temp | Last Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Walnut Gulch #1 (Cochise) | 86°F | 2026-07-02 |
| Tucson 11 W | 100°F | 2026-07-02 |
| Elgin 5 S | 90°F | 2026-07-02 |
| Yuma 27 ENE | 103°F | 2026-07-02 |
| Williams 35 NNW | 78°F | 2026-07-02 |
Cities in Arizona (60)
| City | ZIP | Current Temp |
|---|---|---|
| Apache Jct | 85217 | 82°F* |
| Apache Junction | 85117 | 82°F* |
| Arizona City | 85123 | 100°F |
| Avondale | 85323 | 88°F* |
| Bapchule | 85121 | 85°F* |
| Buckeye | 85326 | 86°F* |
| Bullhead City | 86429 | 86°F |
| Casa Grande | 85122 | 100°F |
| Cave Creek | 85327 | 82°F* |
| Chandler | 85224 | 88°F* |
| Chandler Heights | 85127 | 100°F |
| Coolidge | 85128 | 100°F |
| Douglas | 85607 | 86°F |
| Eloy | 85131 | 100°F |
| Flagstaff | 86001 | 78°F |
| Florence | 85132 | 100°F |
| Fort Huachuca | 85613 | 90°F |
| Fort Mohave | 86426 | 86°F |
| Fountain Hills | 85268 | 86°F* |
| Gilbert | 85233 | 87°F* |
| Glendale | 85301 | 86°F* |
| Globe | 85501 | 77°F* |
| Goodyear | 85338 | 88°F* |
| Green Valley | 85614 | 100°F |
| Hayden | 85135 | 100°F |
| Kearny | 85137 | 100°F |
| Kingman | 86401 | 73°F* |
| Lake Havasu City | 86403 | 86°F |
| Marana | 85653 | 100°F |
| Maricopa | 85138 | 100°F |
| Mesa | 85201 | 87°F* |
| Mohave Valley | 86440 | 86°F |
| Nogales | 85621 | 90°F |
| Payson | 85541 | 66°F* |
| Peoria | 85345 | 87°F* |
| Phoenix | 85001 | 87°F* |
| Picacho | 85141 | 100°F |
| Prescott | 86301 | 68°F* |
| Prescott Valley | 86312 | 66°F* |
| Quartzsite | 85346 | 92°F |
| Queen Creek | 85142 | 100°F |
| Red Rock | 85145 | 100°F |
| Sacaton | 85147 | 100°F |
| Safford | 85546 | 83°F* |
| San Tan Valley | 85140 | 100°F |
| Scottsdale | 85250 | 86°F* |
| Sedona | 86336 | 78°F |
| Show Low | 85901 | 62°F* |
| Sierra Vista | 85635 | 90°F |
| Stanfield | 85172 | 100°F |
| Sun City | 85351 | 87°F* |
| Sun City West | 85375 | 86°F* |
| Superior | 85173 | 100°F |
| Surprise | 85374 | 86°F* |
| Tempe | 85280 | 88°F* |
| Tucson | 85701 | 100°F |
| Valley Farms | 85191 | 100°F |
| Wickenburg | 85358 | 84°F* |
| Willcox | 85643 | 86°F |
| Yuma | 85364 | 103°F |
Modeled estimate from Open-Meteo where no monitoring station is within 75 miles; all other readings are measured at USDA and NOAA stations.
Lawn Care Timing Guides for Arizona
- When to Apply Broadleaf Weed Killer on Warm-Season Lawns in Spring
Spring broadleaf timing for St.
- How to Identify and Kill Nutsedge in Your Lawn
Nutsedge is a sedge, not a grass, which is why standard weed control fails.
- How to Apply Liquid Pre-Emergent Herbicide
Learn how to mix, calibrate, and spray liquid pre-emergent herbicide.
- Grass Seed Germination Soil Temperature by Species
The soil temperature each grass species needs to germinate, from 15+ university extensions: tall fescue and perennial ryegrass 68-86°F, Kentucky bluegrass 59-86°F, fine fescue 59-77°F, cool-season 50°F trigger, warm-season 65°F.
Soil Temperature FAQ for Arizona
What is the current soil temperature in Arizona?
The current average 2-inch soil temperature across Arizona is 91°F, based on 5 USDA and NOAA monitoring stations. Readings range from 78°F to 103°F depending on location and elevation.
When should I apply pre-emergent in Arizona?
Apply pre-emergent herbicide when soil at 2 inches reaches 55°F for several consecutive days. Timing varies across Arizona, so check your city's page for station-specific readings and the pre-emergent timing recommendation.
When can I plant grass seed in Arizona?
Cool-season grasses (fescue, bluegrass) can be seeded when soil holds between 50 and 65°F. Warm-season grasses (bermuda, zoysia) need soil above 65°F. Timing varies by location, so check your city's planting window for the dates specific to your area.