Climate in Phoenix, Arizona: Monthly Weather Averages
Phoenix sits at 1,107 feet above sea level, and its climate, as recorded at the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, AZ station, runs to a yearly mean of 75.6°F. The warmest month is July, averaging 95.5°F with typical highs of 106.5°F; the coldest is December, averaging 55.8°F with lows around 45.3°F. Across a normal year the city receives 7.2 in of precipitation. The full month-by-month picture below comes from the official 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals — the 30-year averages the National Weather Service itself uses — so it describes the Phoenix climate you should actually plan around, whether you are timing a visit, weighing a move, or just settling an argument about which month is best.
Phoenix climate month by month
The table below is the complete 1991–2020 normals profile for Phoenix: average high, average low and mean temperature, rainfall, and snowfall for every month. Read down the Mean column to feel the year's rhythm — Phoenix's temperature range runs from 55.8°F in December to 95.5°F in July.
| Month | Avg High (°F) | Avg Low (°F) | Mean (°F) | Rain (in) | Snow (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 67.6 | 46.0 | 56.8 | 0.87 | — |
| February | 70.8 | 49.0 | 59.9 | 0.87 | — |
| March | 78.1 | 54.5 | 66.3 | 0.83 | — |
| April | 85.5 | 60.8 | 73.2 | 0.22 | — |
| May | 94.5 | 69.5 | 82.0 | 0.13 | — |
| June | 104.2 | 78.6 | 91.4 | 0.02 | — |
| July | 106.5 | 84.5 | 95.5 | 0.91 | — |
| August | 105.1 | 83.6 | 94.4 | 0.93 | — |
| September | 100.4 | 78.1 | 89.2 | 0.57 | — |
| October | 89.2 | 65.6 | 77.4 | 0.56 | — |
| November | 76.5 | 53.7 | 65.1 | 0.57 | — |
| December | 66.2 | 45.3 | 55.8 | 0.74 | — |
| Year | 87.0 | 64.1 | 75.6 | 7.22 | — |
How to read the colors:below freezingcoldcoolmildwarmhot. Bands are colored by each cell's own temperature, so a whole year reads at a glance.
NOAA does not publish monthly snowfall normals for this station, so the snow column is shown as —; the temperature and precipitation normals for this station are complete.
Phoenix through the seasons
Winter in Phoenix averages highs of 66.2–70.8°F and lows of 45.3–49.0°F, a seasonal mean of 57.5°F. The three months together bring 2.5 in of precipitation — about 34% of the city's yearly total — with January the wettest of the three at 0.87 in. Winters here are cool rather than harsh: chilly mornings, mild afternoons, and only occasional brushes with freezing weather.
Spring in Phoenix averages highs of 78.1–94.5°F and lows of 54.5–69.5°F, a seasonal mean of 73.8°F. The three months together bring 1.2 in of precipitation — about 16% of the city's yearly total — with March the wettest of the three at 0.83 in. The season is a transition: the average temperature climbs 15.7°F from March to May, and by late spring Phoenix is firmly into warm territory.
Summer in Phoenix averages highs of 104.2–106.5°F and lows of 78.6–84.5°F, a seasonal mean of 93.8°F. The three months together bring 1.9 in of precipitation — about 26% of the city's yearly total — with August the wettest of the three at 0.93 in. This is extreme-heat season: triple-digit average highs are the norm, outdoor plans belong to early mornings and evenings, and air conditioning is a necessity, not a luxury.
Fall in Phoenix averages highs of 76.5–100.4°F and lows of 53.7–78.1°F, a seasonal mean of 77.2°F. The three months together bring 1.7 in of precipitation — about 24% of the city's yearly total — with September the wettest of the three at 0.57 in. Temperatures ease off through the season — the monthly mean drops 24.1°F from September to November — and fall is when Phoenix's weather turns crisp and dry, while nights stay mostly frost-free into December.
Best and worst months to visit Phoenix
Ranking every month by its normals — mild mean temperatures score best, heavy rain and snow count against — the most comfortable months to visit Phoenix are:
MarchAprilNovember
March leads the list: average highs of 78.1°F, lows of 54.5°F, and 0.83 in of rain. The other picks, April and November, offer the same balance in Phoenix's shoulder seasons. At the other end, July is usually the month to avoid — peak summer heat, with a mean temperature of 95.5°F and 0.91 in of precipitation.
How Phoenix compares
Across the 114 cities in our dataset, the typical city averages 57.8°F for the year and 35.7 in of precipitation. Phoenix runs 17.8°F warmer than that typical city and drier by 28.4 in a year, ranking #7 of 114 for annual warmth and #113 of 114 for precipitation (wettest first). Its year-round temperature swing — warmest month minus coldest — is 39.7°F, which puts it in the moderate, clearly seasonal camp.
Within Arizona, Phoenix is the warmest of the cities we track. See the Arizona climate overview for the full state comparison, including Phoenix (warmest, 75.6°F yearly mean) and Flagstaff (coolest, 46.8°F).
Planning notes for Phoenix
For anyone relocating: average lows never drop below freezing in any month, so hard freezes are events, not seasons; 5 months average highs of 90°F or more, making air conditioning a core cost of summer life; days and nights differ by 23.0°F on average — a big desert-style swing that rewards dressing in layers year-round; 7 months of the year average between 55°F and 80°F, the band most people find comfortable without heating or cooling. Those four facts, all straight from the normals table above, shape everything from a Phoenix wardrobe to its utility bills.
Phoenix climate FAQ
What is the warmest month in Phoenix?
July is the warmest month in Phoenix, with a mean temperature of 95.5°F, average highs of 106.5°F and average lows of 84.5°F (1991–2020 normals).
What is the coldest month in Phoenix?
December is the coldest month, averaging 55.8°F, with highs of 66.2°F and lows of 45.3°F.
How much rain does Phoenix get in a year?
Phoenix averages 7.22 in of precipitation a year. The wettest month is August (0.93 in) and the driest is June (0.02 in).
When is the best time of year to visit Phoenix?
By the normals, the most comfortable months are March, April, November — mild average temperatures with moderate rainfall. July is typically the least comfortable month.
Source: 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals, NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) — ncei.noaa.gov. Station: Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, AZ (USW00023183), elevation 1,107 ft. Figures checked October 2026.