Today's barometric pressure in Tucson, a 48-hour pressure chart, and a risk score for weather-triggered migraine and headache, based on pressure drops, humidity, and temperature changes.
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Tucson's Sonoran Desert climate means extreme heat and low humidity for much of the year. The monsoon season brings a dramatic shift, with sudden humidity spikes and afternoon thunderstorms, though pressure itself moves very little.
Worst season for migraines: January and February. Tucson gets more monsoon moisture than Phoenix, with summer thunderstorms and dramatic humidity swings, but pressure barely moves then, 2% of days or fewer in each summer month. No month reaches the 35% of days our index uses for a trigger season. Winter storms bring the most drops, with a 5 hPa drop on 27% of days in January.
Common triggers in Tucson: brief monsoon thunderstorm pressure dips, dust storms and haboobs reducing air quality, extreme daily temperature swings of 25-35 degrees. Tucson sits at 2,400 feet in a broad desert basin ringed by five mountain ranges, including the 9,000-foot Santa Catalinas to the north. These mountains trigger orographic lift that initiates thunderstorm development, often visible hours before storms reach the city floor. The surrounding Sonoran Desert generates dust storms that can engulf the metro area, adding particulate triggers on top of pressure changes.
Typical pressure: Tucson averages 929 hPa at rest, measured at the city's own elevation rather than corrected to sea level, and storm systems can push readings down to 922 hPa. Swings of 3-6 hPa over 24 hours are common during active weather and fall within the range most associated with pressure-triggered migraines.
2026 index: Tucson ranks #86 of 100 in our 2026 U.S. Migraine Risk Index, where #1 is the most challenging city for weather-driven migraine.
Can Tucson weather trigger migraines?
Yes. Tucson experiences 3-6 hPa barometric pressure swings, and research shows pressure drops are one of the most common migraine triggers. The city's specific patterns include brief monsoon thunderstorm pressure dips, dust storms and haboobs reducing air quality, extreme daily temperature swings of 25-35 degrees.
What time of year are migraines worst in Tucson?
In Tucson the most barometrically volatile stretch of the year falls in January and February. That is when weather is most likely to play a part, if weather is a trigger for you at all. See when migraine weather season starts across the U.S.
Is there a barometric pressure headache forecast for Tucson?
This page works as one. Many people call a headache that arrives with a weather change a barometric pressure headache, and this forecast tracks the pressure drops, humidity and temperature swings behind that idea. The score covers the next 24 hours in Tucson and the chart shows the next 48. It is built on migraine research, so treat it as a rough guide for other headaches. A sudden, severe headache needs urgent medical care, whatever the weather.
Your own forecast
This page shows the weather risk for everyone in Tucson. The MigrAid app learns yours. It saves the barometric pressure, humidity and temperature with every migraine you log, shows whether Tucson's swings really line up with your attacks, and alerts you when conditions match your own trigger history.