Phoenix, AZ Weather Forecast & Climate Guide
Phoenix has a hot desert climate with extremely hot summers and mild winters. Located in the Sonoran Desert, the city experiences low humidity year-round and abundant sunshine with minimal precipitation.
Climate type: Hot desert (Köppen BWh)
Phoenix Climate Overview
Summer temperatures routinely exceed 110°F (43°C) from May through September, making Phoenix one of the hottest major cities in the US. Winters are pleasant with highs in the 70s°F (21°C). Annual rainfall is only about 8 inches, mostly from winter storms and summer monsoons.
Phoenix weather is characterized by extreme heat and drought, broken by the North American Monsoon which brings thunderstorms, flash flooding, and dust storms (haboobs) from July through September. Winter months offer ideal outdoor weather conditions.
Phoenix Weather by Season
spring
Spring starts perfect in March with highs in the 70s°F and blue skies, but by mid-April temperatures are already climbing past 90°F. Wildflower season in the Sonoran Desert peaks in March.
summer
Summers are brutal — highs routinely exceed 110°F from late May through early September, with several days per year topping 115°F. The North American Monsoon brings dramatic evening thunderstorms and dust storms (haboobs) in July and August.
fall
Fall cools slowly. September still sees 100°F days, but October drops into the 80s°F and November is delightful. This is when snowbirds start arriving.
winter
Winters are Phoenix's best-kept secret — sunny, dry, with highs in the 60s-70s°F and lows in the 40s°F. Essentially zero rain and perfect outdoor weather.
Phoenix Average Monthly Temperatures
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 67° | 72° | 78° | 86° | 95° | 104° | 106° | 104° | 100° | 89° | 76° | 66° |
| Low °F | 46° | 49° | 53° | 60° | 69° | 78° | 83° | 83° | 77° | 65° | 54° | 46° |
Best Time to Visit Phoenix
November through April is Phoenix's prime season — warm, dry, sunny, and outside the extreme summer heat. February and March are peak snowbird months for a reason.
Severe Weather Risks
- Extreme heat
- Dust storms (haboobs)
- Monsoon thunderstorms
- Flash flooding
- Wildfires
Weather Facts About Phoenix
- >Phoenix averages 110 days per year with highs over 100°F — more than anywhere else in the US.
- >The all-time record high is 122°F, set in 1990 when airplanes couldn't legally take off.
- >Annual rainfall is only about 8 inches, most of it from summer monsoon thunderstorms.
Phoenix Weather FAQ
When is the best time to visit Phoenix?
November through April. Daytime highs in the 60s-80s°F, cool nights, sunshine, and essentially no rain. Summer (May-September) is dangerously hot and best avoided unless you have a pool.
How hot does Phoenix actually get?
Summer highs routinely hit 110-115°F, with the record at 122°F. Pavement temperatures can exceed 180°F — hot enough to cause serious burns from a brief fall.
What is monsoon season in Phoenix?
The North American Monsoon runs from mid-June through September, bringing dramatic late-afternoon and evening thunderstorms, heavy rain, lightning, and massive dust storms called haboobs that can reduce visibility to zero.
Does it ever freeze in Phoenix?
Very rarely. Winter nights occasionally dip into the upper 30s°F, and the record low is 16°F from 1913. A hard freeze affecting the whole metro happens only every few decades.