The best time to visit Phoenix, Arizona, is between November and April in the fall and spring months. During the fall, winter, and spring, temperatures are at their coolest, and the skies are clear, making it a fantastic time to discover all Phoenix offers to travelers.
Temperatures in Phoenix range from the high 60s to the low 80s, but due to its desert location, the seasons can be hard to determine as the leaves don’t change color. Still, traveling to Phoenix isn’t as easy as packing a bag and jumping on a plane.
Learn the ins and outs of planning the perfect trip to Arizona’s capital city with this in-depth Phoenix weather guide, including a breakdown by season and by month.
Got more travel plans on the horizon? Check out our other weather & when to go guides and our Arizona Travel Guide for more recommendations on when to visit, where to go & what to do!
By season
Spring
Spring is one of the best times of the year to travel to Phoenix, Arizona, thanks to the pleasant temperatures and abundant outdoor activities. Daily highs in spring reach the high 80s (30°C), and lows hover around the mid-60s (18°C).
It’s a good idea to book accommodations, tours, and rentals two to three months in advance when visiting Phoenix during the spring, especially around spring break, as they fill up fast.
Most Phoenix locals like to get outside and enjoy the clear skies and the gradual decrease in rain. Spring is a great time to get outside and catch a baseball game as the Cactus League Spring Training begins or get your fill of local musical talent at the Innings Festival in March.
With temperatures being not too hot and not too cold, spring is the perfect time to break out the hiking boots and tackle a trail in the South Mountain Park and Preserve to get up close with the flora and fauna in this desert terrain.
Summer
Summer is the off-season in Phoenix, as temperatures can reach sweltering highs in the 100s (over 38°C) and slightly less hot lows in the mid-80s (29°C). Locals and visitors alike tend to stay inside where the air is cool.
The summer off-season is a great time to get good deals on activities and the best hotels in Phoenix, as most tourists tend to avoid visiting Arizona in the summer. There’s no need to book your rooms far in advance when planning a trip at this time of year.
In the summer, skies are clear, and you can expect to see less than 0.78 inches (20mm) of rain over the entire season. You can beat the heat and enjoy Phoenix in the summer by visiting top Phoenix attractions like the Heard Museum of Native American culture, the OdySea Aquarium, or the Arizona Science Center.
Enjoy the cooler evenings in Phoenix by trying some popular “Dark Bars” like Rokerij, The Womack, or Gracie’s Tax Bar. All of these classic Phoenix establishments serve delicious cocktails and appetizers to take your mind off the unbearable heat outside.
Fall
Fall is the best season to visit Phoenix as the summer heat burns off and cooler temperatures return. Average highs reach the mid-90s (~35°C), and daily lows can dip to the mid-70s (~24°C). Be sure to book hotels and tours well in advance, as fall is the most popular tourist season for visitors and locals in Phoenix.
Skies are still mostly clear, and the rain stays away throughout the autumn season. This is a great time to jump into the fall season with a visit to a pumpkin patch in the Greater Phoenix area.
Pack a picnic, visit the corn maze, or pick the perfect pumpkin at Mother Nature’s Farm. Jump on a train and sample delicious Arizona craft beer at Ales on Rails, a fun fall event that takes you on a journey on the Verde Canyon Railroad.
Of course, fall is still a great time to try out some of Phoenix’s famous outdoor activities. Go hiking Camelback Mountain, play a round of golf at Encanto Park, or take a spooky tour of the Goldfield Ghost Town.
Winter
The weather in Phoenix in winter is cooler but still relatively warm for those who aren’t used to desert climates. The average daily high reaches the high 60s (~20°C), and the lows fall to the high 40s (~9°C).
There’s significantly more rain in Phoenix during the winter, but it’s still less than you would expect in most other destinations in the US. It’s advised to plan stays at the most popular places to stay in Phoenix in advance around major holidays, but otherwise, the winter season is relatively slow for tourism.
Winter is still lively in Phoenix, with plenty of fairs and festivals happening around the city. The Tempe Festival of the Arts showcases hundreds of artists from around the country and a wide selection of food vendors.
FuelFest Phoenix is a car enthusiast’s dream! Gather around and check out some of the top performance-based and exotic cars from around the world.
By month
January
January in the desert climate of Phoenix is cooler, with temperatures reaching highs of 68°F (20°C) and lows of 48ºF (9°C). It’s a good idea to pack a light waterproof jacket when exploring Phoenix in January, as the city does see more rain throughout the winter than in any other season.
The skies in January have a 50/50 chance of being cloudy, but the city sees around 9 hours of sunlight on average throughout the day. The chances of rain are moderate throughout the month, with the city seeing an average of 1 inch (26mm) of rain in total.
February
February in Phoenix sees temperatures rising slightly to 73°F (23°C) on high and 51°F (11°C) at its lowest. February is the rainiest month in Phoenix, so light layers with a waterproof shell are advised for outdoor activities.
The skies in February are often partly cloudy, and the city sees about 1 inch (29mm) of rain throughout the month. Daylight hours increase to 10.5 hours of sunlight on average for the month of February.
March
March is the beginning of spring in Phoenix. As the warmer weather returns, you’re sure to see more locals and visitors venturing outside. Temperatures range from 80°F (27°C) on the high end to 57°F (14°C) on the low end. The largest number of tourists visit Phoenix during March, so it’s a good idea to book hotels and car rentals well in advance.
Rainfall decreases significantly as the month goes on, and sunlight hours reach 12 hours a day on average. Spring is one of the best times to visit Phoenix since the temperatures haven’t picked up just yet.
April
Spring is in full swing by the time April rolls around. Average daily temperatures reach a high of 87°F (31°C) and a low of 66°F (19°C). You’ll see tourism picking up in the city as the temperatures are still bearable and precipitation is lower.
April is the last good month in spring to get outside and explore the city and embark on the most popular Phoenix day trips before the early heat in May surrounds the city. Rain tapers off and gives way to clear skies, while the sun shines bright with a daily average of 13 hours of sunshine.
May
Although considered a spring month, May in Phoenix can sometimes feel as hot as summer. The average daily temperatures soar in May to highs of 96°F (36°C) and lows of 73°F (23°C).
It’s a good idea to avoid going outdoors at midday when the sun is the strongest. Tourists tend to avoid going outside or avoid visiting altogether due to the extreme heat at the end of spring. This is a good time to get deals on hotels and car rentals.
Skies are consistently clear, and the small chance of rain falls drastically as the month goes on. Average daily sunshine hours reach a peak of 14 hours before they start to fall again over the summer.
June
The sweltering heat of summer really starts in June as daily highs reach 105°F (41°C) and lows hover around 82°F (28°C). Most travelers avoid visiting Phoenix in the summer months, so June is an ideal time to get a deal if you can stand the heat.
Average daily sunshine stays steady at 14 hours. June is the driest month of the year in Phoenix, so rainfall is almost nonexistent. Skies are clear, although clouds can be seen rolling in towards the end of the month.
July
July is the hottest month Phoenix experiences by far, with average daily highs reaching 105°F (41°C) and average lows reaching 84°F (29°C). Most visitors avoid going outside from 11 am to 4 pm to avoid the midday sun and heat. July is an excellent month to get hotel deals but beware: The extreme heat and sun can be dangerous. Don’t forget your sunscreen and drink plenty of water to avoid heat exhaustion!
Skies are more likely to be cloudy towards the end of the month, and rain picks up, reaching an average of 0.86 inches (22mm) of rain. Daily sunshine hours start to drop towards the end of the month to 13 hours total.
August
Temperatures in Phoenix cool off slightly in August, although you might not be able to feel the decrease as average daily highs are still around 104°F (40°C) and lows are around 84°F (29°C). It’s still advisable to stay out of the sun during midday due to the heat and sunshine.
Skies are cloudier towards the beginning of August, and the city may see 1 inch (24mm) of rain over the course of the month. The rain is welcome in this dry desert climate as it helps cool the air. Sunlight hours begin to decrease to an average of 12 hours a day.
September
Fall flies in, and it’s back to school during the month of September. Phoenix is still likely to experience summer-like temperatures throughout the month. Average daily temperatures reach highs of 100°F (38°C) and lows of 78°F (26°C). The sweltering heat of summer has usually passed by the middle of the month, and people will begin to venture outside again.
Tourism starts to pick up its second wind towards the end of September, and this would be a good time to travel to Phoenix while avoiding the heat of summer and the crowds in spring.
Cloud cover significantly reduces to let the bright sun shine through, and there’s significantly less chance of rain. Daily sunlight hours total around 11 hours a day.
October
Fall activities are in full swing by October now that the summer heat is gone. Daily highs reach 91°F (31°C), and lows are around 68°F (20°C). Days are pleasant, usually cooling off in the morning and evening, making October a great time to hike or visit Phoenix’s other amazing outdoor activities.
Skies are mostly clear in October, and there’s a slight chance of rain towards the end of the month, although significantly less than in September. Daily sunlight hours drop down to 10 hours per day by the end of the month.
If you’re booking a tour or reserving a car in October, it’d be a good idea to plan a little in advance; although these are considered slower months, hotels and rentals fill up quickly.
November
November is the final month of fall, and you can feel the cooler air of winter settling in. Average daily highs reach 77°F (25°C), and lows dip to 55°F (13°C).
Days feel cooler in the mornings, becoming more comfortable towards noon and cooling again in the evening. Tourism is at a low during the month of November, making it a good time to visit if you don’t mind the cooler weather.
It starts to get cloudier towards the end of the month, and the chance of rain increases as well. It would be a good idea to pack light waterproof layers if you’re visiting Phoenix in November. Daily hours of sunlight stay steady, around 10 hours per day.
December
Winter in Phoenix begins in December, and that’s reflected in cooler temperatures. Average daily highs reach 66°F (19°C), and lows can plummet to 44ºF (7°C). This can feel quite shocking compared to the heat of summer.
To prepare to go to Phoenix in the winter, it’s a good idea to pack warm layers. Tourism is quite low throughout the month, although it picks up again around Christmas, with markets becoming flooded with visitors and locals alike.
The skies are mostly clear in December, with a chance of clouds and rain towards the middle and end of the month. Average daily sunlight dips to the lowest point in the year at just 9 hours per day.
