Climate Insights for Phoenix

The climate in Phoenix is warm and mild. The average annual temperature is 24°C and approximately 243mm of precipitation falls per year. January is the wettest month, receiving around 32mm of rainfall. Phoenix is in the Northern Hemisphere. Summer begins at the end of June and lasts through September. The summer months are: July, June, August. The coldest months are January, December, February, when temperatures can drop to 6°C.

Phoenix has a wide annual temperature range, spanning 36°C from the coldest to warmest months. July is the hottest month, with daytime highs reaching 42°C and an average of 36°C. January is the coolest month, with minimum temperatures around 6°C and an average of 12°C. On average, daily temperatures fluctuate by about 14°C between overnight lows and afternoon highs. The sharpest temperature change occurs between October and November, with a 7°C shift in average temperatures.

Phoenix is a quite dry location, receiving approximately 243mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 20mm per month. The wettest month is January, averaging 32mm of rainfall. August and February also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is May, with just 3mm. That's 28mm less than January, the wettest month. Rainfall is heavily concentrated in certain months, creating a distinct wet and dry season. Visitors should plan around these patterns, as the difference between peak and low months is dramatic.

Phoenix is mildly breezy, with an average annual wind speed of 15km/h. For context, sustained winds below 12km/h are generally light, while anything above 25km/h is considered strong. The windiest month is July, averaging 17km/h, though still comfortable for most outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in December, with average winds dropping to 12km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. There is moderate seasonal variation in wind speed, with a 5km/h gap between the calmest and windiest months. Wind tends to pick up during the summer months. The seasonal averages are 13km/h in winter, 17km/h in spring, 16km/h in summer, 13km/h in autumn.

It is currently spring in Phoenix, which began on March 20, 2026. Phoenix is in the Northern Hemisphere, where spring begins in March, summer in June, autumn in September, and winter in December. The warmest period peaks in July at around 42°C, while the coldest stretch bottoms out in January near 6°C. Summer is next, beginning on June 21, 2026 — 90 days from now.

The best time to visit Phoenix is during March, April, October and November, when the weather is most comfortable for travellers. During these months, average temperatures hover around 21°C with modest rainfall averaging 17mm per month. By contrast, July can be uncomfortably hot with highs reaching 42°C, while January is the coldest period with lows dropping to 6°C. With minimal rainfall expected, you can pack light and plan outdoor activities with confidence.

The table below shows monthly climate averages for Phoenix based on historical weather data. Min and max temperatures represent typical overnight lows and afternoon highs for each month, shown in degrees Celsius (°C). Precipitation is measured in millimetres (mm) and indicates the average total rainfall per month. Wind speed is the average sustained speed in kilometres per hour (km/h). All values are based on averages from over 10 years of historical weather data. The current month is highlighted for quick reference.