Best Time to Visit Phoenix: Weather by Season

The best time to visit Phoenix, Arizona is from late October through April. Normal daytime highs at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport run from 66 to 89 degrees Fahrenheit in those months, and rain is light. The same stretch includes the busiest and most expensive weeks of the year, February and March, so the answer depends on whether you want mild weather, fewer crowds or lower prices.

Every temperature below is a 1991-2020 climate normal for the Phoenix Sky Harbor station, published by NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information, the data source behind National Weather Service normals. A normal is a 30-year average, so any single day can run well above or below it. Check the Phoenix weather page close to your trip.

What does Phoenix weather look like month by month?

Phoenix averages 75.6 degrees Fahrenheit over the year and 7.22 inches of rain, according to the National Weather Service's 1991-2020 normals summary. The monthly normal highs and lows (Fahrenheit) are:

January: high 67.6, low 46.0, rain 0.87 inches
February: high 70.8, low 49.0, rain 0.87 inches
March: high 78.1, low 54.5, rain 0.83 inches
April: high 85.5, low 60.8, rain 0.22 inches
May: high 94.5, low 69.5, rain 0.13 inches
June: high 104.2, low 78.6, rain 0.02 inches
July: high 106.5, low 84.5, rain 0.91 inches
August: high 105.1, low 83.6, rain 0.93 inches
September: high 100.4, low 78.1, rain 0.57 inches
October: high 89.2, low 65.6, rain 0.56 inches
November: high 76.5, low 53.7, rain 0.57 inches
December: high 66.2, low 45.3, rain 0.74 inches

Two things stand out. Winter evenings are cold enough for a jacket, and summer nights barely cool off. The normal July low at Sky Harbor is 84.5 degrees.

Is winter the best time to visit Phoenix?

Winter, December through February, is the easiest season in Phoenix, with normal highs from 66.2 to 70.8 degrees and normal lows in the mid-40s to 49. It is the best fit for hiking, patios, golf and outdoor markets, and a season of high demand.

December and January are the quieter part of the season. Normal highs of 66.2 and 67.6 degrees suit a morning on the trails at South Mountain, then an evening walk through Roosevelt Row or Downtown Phoenix. Pack layers: a 46-degree normal January low feels cold after a 67-degree afternoon.

February is when the city fills up. The WM Phoenix Open, a PGA Tour golf event at TPC Scottsdale, is held in February according to its official site, and Cactus League Spring Training begins that month. Book hotels and rental cars early for those weeks.

Why is spring so popular, and when does it end?

Spring, March through April, is the most crowded and the most reliably pleasant season, with normal highs of 78.1 degrees in March and 85.5 in April. By May the normal high reaches 94.5, so the comfortable window closes quickly.

Three things fill the city:

Cactus League Spring Training. Fifteen Major League Baseball teams train in the Phoenix area in February and March, playing at ten ballparks in Phoenix, Glendale, Goodyear, Mesa, Peoria, Scottsdale, Surprise and Tempe, per the Cactus League official site. Spring games are typically afternoon games, so sun protection matters more than a jacket.
WM Phoenix Open. The tournament is typically held in February, at TPC Scottsdale, just outside the Phoenix city limits. Dates are on the official WM Phoenix Open site.
Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market. The Heard Museum in Phoenix, at 2301 N. Central Ave., hosts this weekend event in early March. The official site describes juried Native art from more than 600 artists representing more than 100 American Indian and Alaska Native tribes and Canadian First Nations, plus food and live entertainment. See the Heard Museum fair page for dates and tickets.

If your dates are flexible, the shoulder weeks just after the baseball and golf crowds, late March into April, keep most of the weather and lose some of the competition for rooms. For the full year of festivals, see Annual Events in Phoenix.

Can you visit Phoenix in summer?

Yes, but plan around the heat. From June through September the normal high is 100.4 to 106.5 degrees, and the normal low stays above 78 degrees. Summer travel works when your day is built around early mornings, indoor attractions and a pool.

Heat is the main hazard, and it is worth being plain about it:

Hike at sunrise or not at all. Camelback Mountain's two trails, Echo Canyon and Cholla, are both rated extremely difficult by Visit Phoenix, with a 1,420-foot climb to the summit. In summer, choose a flat canal path or an indoor museum instead.
Carry more water than seems sensible, wear sun protection and a hat, and take breaks in shade or air conditioning.
Never leave people or pets in a parked car. Interior temperatures climb far above the air temperature.
Touch before you sit. Metal seat belt buckles, playground equipment and car seats can burn skin.

In exchange, summer is the off-season, when resort rates typically drop and pools are easy to book. Indoor options include the Heard Museum, Phoenix Art Museum and the Musical Instrument Museum, all in Phoenix.

What is monsoon season, and is flooding a real risk?

Monsoon season is the period from June 15 through September 30 when the National Weather Service's Phoenix office says thunderstorm hazards are most likely. Storms bring dust, lightning and flash floods, mostly in July, August and September, when normal rainfall rises to 0.91, 0.93 and 0.57 inches.

Those averages sound small. They are not the point. A desert storm can drop a large amount of rain in a short time over a small area, and dry washes fill fast. The National Weather Service says flash floods are the top thunderstorm-related killer in Arizona, averaging two to three deaths a year, and most happen in vehicles. That is the origin of its slogan, Turn around, don't drown.

What to do about it:

Never drive around a road barricade or into a flooded dip. Water over a road can hide damage and is often deeper than it looks.
Stay out of washes and stream beds, including on trails, when storms are in the area.
Check the forecast before hiking and leave if the sky builds dark to the south or east.
During a dust storm, follow the Arizona Department of Transportation's Pull Aside, Stay Alive advice: exit the road as far as you can, turn off all lights, set the parking brake, keep your seatbelt on and wait it out.

Outside the monsoon window, flooding is uncommon, but winter storms do happen. Check the Phoenix weather page and official National Weather Service warnings during any trip.

What about fall?

Fall, October and November, is the second-best window. The normal high falls from 100.4 degrees in September to 89.2 in October and 76.5 in November, and rain is light.

October can still feel like summer in the afternoon, so keep hikes to the morning. By November the weather is close to ideal, and in our experience rooms are easier to find than in February and March. Thanksgiving in Phoenix covers the holiday weekend, and Historic Grand Avenue closes part of the street each November for the Grand Avenue Festival, per Visit Phoenix.

So when should you actually go?

By goal, here is the short answer:

Best weather overall: November, and March through early April.
Best balance of weather and room availability: November, early December and January.
Baseball, golf and art markets: February and March, with early booking.
Lower prices: June through August, with a heat plan.
Hiking: November through March.

A few practical notes apply year-round. Rent a car if you want to see more than the downtown core, since Valley Metro serves downtown but the metro area is large. Sun protection is needed even in winter. Use Things to Do and Areas to plan what to pair with the weather.

What should you pack and plan for a Phoenix trip?

Keep this checklist handy while you book.

Late October to April for walking, hiking and patios, with a jacket for evenings.
Book February and March hotels early for WM Phoenix Open, Cactus League and the Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market.
Water, hat, sunscreen in every month.
Hike before 9 a.m. from May through October, or choose indoor options.
Monsoon runs June 15 to September 30: check the forecast, avoid washes, never enter flooded roads.
Check the Phoenix weather page before leaving your hotel.

How we chose

All temperature and rain figures are 1991-2020 normals for the Phoenix Sky Harbor station from NOAA, with annual averages from the National Weather Service. Event details come from each event's official site. Monsoon dates and flood guidance come from the National Weather Service in Phoenix, and dust storm advice from the Arizona Department of Transportation. Seasonal recommendations are our opinion.

Last verified: November 2026.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best month to visit Phoenix?

November and March are the best months for weather. NOAA's 1991-2020 normals put the average high at 76.5 degrees Fahrenheit in November and 78.1 in March, with light rain. March also brings spring training crowds.

What is the hottest month in Phoenix?

July is the hottest month in Phoenix. NOAA's 1991-2020 normals list an average high of 106.5 degrees Fahrenheit and an average low of 84.5 at Phoenix Sky Harbor.

When is monsoon season in Phoenix?

The National Weather Service in Phoenix gives June 15 through September 30 as the period when monsoon thunderstorm hazards are most likely. Flash flooding, lightning and dust storms are the main concerns.

When does spring training happen in Phoenix?

Cactus League Spring Training runs in February and March. Fifteen Major League Baseball teams play at ballparks across the Phoenix area, according to the Cactus League's official site.

Is it too hot to visit Phoenix in summer?

It is manageable with planning. June through September normal highs run from 100.4 to 106.5 degrees Fahrenheit, so schedule outdoor activity at sunrise, carry water and use indoor attractions midday.

How much does it rain in Phoenix?

Phoenix averages 7.22 inches of rain a year, per the National Weather Service's 1991-2020 normals. Most of it comes in winter and in the July to September monsoon.