Best Time to Visit Phoenix, Arizona - Weather Year Round

By VI Staff on May 15, 2020 - Updated

Courtesy of Derrick Neill - Fotolia.com

Phoenix is known for its sunny dry climate. Summer time is very hot with very little humidity. The weather remains hot during the early part of fall and then starts to cool down during the latter part of fall. Winter sees lower and very comfortable temperatures and blue skies - the temperature rarely drops below freezing. Spring is also a pleasant time to visit Phoenix with the added attraction of blooming cacti and wildflowers. The months between November and April are the best times to visit Phoenix. The weather is perfect for many outdoor activities. The only advantage of visiting in the summer is that you’ll find low room rates.

1.Phoenix Weather & Temperature by Month

January is Phoenix’s second to the coldest month with average low temperatures of 46°F (20°C). Although January is one of the coldest months, the climate is comfortable. The average high temperature is 67°F (8°C).

In February, temperatures increase as the winter season starts winding down. However, the weather remains mild and sunny as the average high temperature peaks at 71°F (22°C) while the average low temperature drops to 49°F (9°C). The weather makes February one of the best months to visit the Grand Canyon.

Phoenix Weather in March: The temperature continues to increase in March as spring rolls around. The city comes alive with festivals in March as the weather ranges between an average high and average low temperature of 77°F (25°C) and 53°F (12°C) respectively.

In April, average high temperatures start rising past the 80s. The low temperature is 60°F (16°C). April is one of the best months to visit Phoenix and along with other southern Arizona cities.

May receives the most hours of sunshine out of the entire year in Phoenix with a whopping 404 hours on average. The average high temperature climbs to 95°F (35°C), while evenings offer a great respite with an average low temperature of 69°F (21°C).

Phoenix Weather in June: Despite being one of the hottest months in Phoenix with an average high temperature of 104°F (40°C), June receives the least amount of rainfall in the whole year. Expected rainfall is close to zero inches (1 mm). June also ties with May for the most hours of sunshine in the year.

July is the hottest month of the year in Phoenix as the average high temperature shoots to 104°F (40°C). July also get the most rain annually with an average precipitation rate of a bit over 1 inch (27 mm). Average low temperature is 83°F (28°C).

In August, the average high temperature drops back down to 104°F (40°C). However, the average low temperature remains the same at 83°F (28°C).

Phoenix Weather in September: The last of the summer months in Phoenix is September when the average high temperature decreases further to 100°F (38°C).

In October, the temperatures drop quickly as the average high temperature hovers just below the 90s at 89°F (31°C). The average low temperature for the month is 65°F (18°C).

November sees another big drop in average high and low temperatures as the short fall months quickly come to an end. Temperatures range between 76°F (24°C) and 53°F (12°C).

December is the coldest month of the year in Phoenix. Average low temperatures drop to 45°F (7°C) while the high temperature will peak at 66°F (19°C). Additionally, December also receives the least hours of sunshine annually with just 236 hours to be expected. With the weather nice and cool, December is a fantastic time of the year to head out into the great outdoors and explore Phoenix’s nature.

For those who want to experience the best of Arizona’s local festivals, the best time to visit is in spring between the months of April and May. On the other hand, September through April are the best month to travel through the southern cities of Arizona such as Phoenix, Tucson and Tombstone. To avoid the tourist crowds, the best time to come to Arizona is early May and late October. These months are also the best times to see the Grand Canyon, though the winter months are also quite popular due to the mild and sunny weather.

2.Getting to Phoenix, Arizona

Many people arrive in Phoenix by airplane. Located just three miles east of the city, Phoenix’s Sky Harbor International Airport is a busy airport and is served by many domestic and international airlines. The Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport is a smaller airport that has service from cities in the Midwest and Northwest. It is not very convenient to get to Phoenix by train: Amtrak runs trains to Flagstaff and to Tucson, but then you need to take an Amtrak shuttle bus to Phoenix. It’s easy to get to Phoenix by car: it is connected to Los Angeles and Tucson by I-10 and to Flagstaff by I-17. There are several bus companies that provide bus service to Phoenix.

3.Getting From the Phoenix Airport

One way to get from the Sky Harbor International Airport is to rent a car. There are nearly 15 car rental agencies at the airport: shuttles transfer visitors from the terminal to the nearby Rental Car Center. Several Valley Metro public buses take visitors from the airport to the 44th Street PHX Sky Train Station: here visitors can take a free train into Phoenix. There are bike racks at this train station, so you can ride a bike to and from the airport. There are also taxis and shuttles into the city. There are several ways to get from the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport into the city: these include shuttles, taxis, and limousines.

4.Information for Visitors in Phoenix

The Phoenix Information Center on North Second Street in downtown Phoenix should be your first stop when you arrive in the city. At the visitor information center friendly and professional staff members can help first time visitors with things like where to stay, where to eat, where to shop, what to see and do, and how to get around the city. They help with itinerary planning and make suggestions to custom tailor a visit to Phoenix around each visitor’s needs and wants. The center is less than one mile from a light rail station and about five miles from the Sky Harbor Airport. The center is open from Monday to Friday and is closed on the weekends.

5.Getting Around Phoenix

Getting around Phoenix by car makes it easy to see all of the attractions which are spread out over a large area. Parking is generally not a problem in Phoenix; the only exceptions are at some of the more popular shopping malls. The only downside to renting a car is that Phoenix has some of the highest car rental rates in the country. Valley Metro is the public system in Phoenix that includes both buses and light rail. The light rail system consists of a 26 mile line and 28 stations. Another popular way to get around the city is by bike. Grid Bike Share is Phoenix’s bike sharing program.

6.Phoenix Restaurants

As a city with a population in the millions, Phoenix offers a wide range of dining options from which visitors can choose. There are many fine dining restaurants: some of these are run by celebrity chefs. Some of the resorts have upscale restaurants if you’re in the mood for great food and want to splurge. Many restaurants serve Mexican and Southwestern cuisine using locally produced ingredients like citrus fruits, peppers, and pomegranates. Phoenix is also famous for its “cowboy” steakhouses, so if you enjoy American food, try one of these steakhouses. These are family-friendly restaurants often decorated with a “Wild West” theme and live cowboy music.

7.Shopping in Phoenix

8.Phoenix Neighborhood Guide

Phoenix is located in the Valley of the Sun and is surrounded by several mountains. The downtown area is Phoenix’s central business district and home to both the state capitol and city hall. Most of the city’s museums, theaters, art galleries, and many hotels are found here. The Biltmore District is located just north of downtown Phoenix and is also known as Camelback Corridor because it is located on Camelback Road. Here there are many shopping centers including the Biltmore Fashion Park shopping mall. It is also home to the world famous Arizona Biltmore Hotel. Glendale is northwest of downtown Phoenix and is known for its historic buildings and antique shops.

9.Getting Married in Phoenix

Phoenix is a popular place for weddings because of its stunning desert backdrop. A marriage license can be obtained from the Clerk of Court on West Jackson in downtown Phoenix. Hotel venues include the Embassy Suites Phoenix-Biltmore, the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort and Spa, the Westin Phoenix Downtown, and more. For outdoor wedding venues, there are many choices such as Boojum Tree’s Hidden Gardens, the Venue at the Grove, the Valley Garden Center, and the Felch House. Some unique wedding venues include the restored 1910 Icehouse, the Musical Instrument Museum, and the Warehouse 215 @ Bentley Projects, a large art gallery in downtown Phoenix.

10.Where to Stay in Phoenix

Phoenix is a major tourist destination so it offers a wide range of accommodations from which visitors can choose. It has one of the largest number of resorts in the United States. Many people visit Phoenix to get away from cold weather in other parts of the country. This means that room rates are highest during the winter. Luxury properties include the historic Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix, and the Phoenician and the Four Season Hotel, both located in nearby Scottsdale. Many hotel rooms, whether luxury or budget, have spectacular views of the nearby mountains. There are also bed and breakfasts such as Mi Casa Su Casa.