Late summer · Weather & things to do
Catalina Foothills in August
Little changes in Catalina Foothills from July: highs stay near 97°F (36°C), lows near 74°F (23°C), and about 2.1 in (54 mm) of rain falls.
Our comfort score puts it mid-table at 56/100, 11th of 12.
- Avg high
- 97°F (36°C)
- Avg low
- 74°F (23°C)
- Rain
- 2.1 in (54 mm)
- Humidity
- 47%
- Cloud cover
- 48%
- Daylight
- ~13 h 11 min
- Comfort score
- 56/100 · Fair
What August feels like
Afternoons run hot at about 97°F (36°C), which leaves mornings and evenings as the time for walking.
Mornings start much cooler: lows average 74°F (23°C), about 13°C (23°F) below the afternoon high.
About 2.1 in (54 mm) of rain falls in a typical year's August.
Plan around August
August sits mid-table; the best months are November – April.
- Inside the wettest three-month stretch, July – September.
- Comfort improves from 48/100 in July to 56/100.
- Our Tucson New Year's Eve route is planned for Dec 30 – Jan 1, a window set by the holiday season rather than the weather — August falls outside it.
What to pack for August
- Light, breathable clotheshighs average 97°F
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hatstrong sun this month
- Refillable water bottleeasy to dehydrate in the heat
- A warm layer for eveningsnights drop to 74°F
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Catalina Foothills in August
Afternoons run hot (97°F), so these picks mix early-start outdoor spots with cool indoor breaks.
Blue Willow
A long-running breakfast and lunch spot on Campbell Avenue with a shaded patio.
Why now Go early — afternoons average 97°F.
Hacienda del Sol
A 1929 hillside guest ranch whose Grill serves brunch with city views; it hosts a New Year's Eve dinner and dance.
Why now A break from 97°F afternoons.
Tohono Chul
A desert botanical garden in the northwest Foothills with shaded walking paths, art galleries and a bistro.
Why now Best first thing, before the 97°F afternoon heat.
Mount Lemmon
The Catalina Highway climbs from saguaros to pine forest and, after winter storms, snow at the top.
Nearby in August
- Downtown Tucson in August~7 mi · highs 98°F, 2.5 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Papago Park & Camelback in August~101 mi · highs 105°F, 1.3 in rain · 4°C (7°F) warmer by day, drier
- Phoenix in August~106 mi · highs 105°F, 1.3 in rain · 5°C (8°F) warmer by day, drier
- Sedona in August~185 mi · highs 92°F, 2.7 in rain · 3°C (6°F) cooler by day, about as wet
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~1,178 m to Catalina Foothills's ~831 m elevation (standard lapse rate). Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Catalina Foothills in August: quick answers
Is August a good time to visit Catalina Foothills?
It's middling, scoring 56/100. The best months are November – April, at up to 100. Expect highs of 97°F (36°C) and 2.1 in (54 mm) of rain.
How hot is Catalina Foothills in August?
Average highs are 97°F (36°C) and average lows 74°F (23°C), making it the 3rd-warmest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Catalina Foothills in August?
Not much: about 2.1 in (54 mm) of rain falls across August on average, the 2nd-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 12.0 in (305 mm).
What should I pack for Catalina Foothills in August?
Bring light, breathable clothes (highs average 97°F), sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat (strong sun this month), refillable water bottle (easy to dehydrate in the heat), a warm layer for evenings (nights drop to 74°F) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
More on Catalina Foothills
Planning Catalina Foothills in August?
Share this August plan with your group, poll everyone on dates and keep the packing list in one place.