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The metro
Phoenix, Arizona area enjoys over 325 days of
sun each year. The
average high in metro Phoenix is 85°F while
the average annual temperature is 72.6°F.
The
temperature exceeds 100 degrees for an
average of 89 days a year. Though it
is warm during the summer time (a record 121°F
was reached in July 1995), the locals refer to
it as a "dry heat" due to the lack of humidity
in the air. The annual rainfall averages
7.66 inches a year, with rain on about 36 of
those days each year in Phoenix. Of course
with such a lack of rain in the desert, there
are definitely fewer mosquitoes, flies, and
other airborne insects that do not fly about
your face outside.
The greatest
example of weather in the Phoenix area is during
the summer thunderstorms, known as the monsoon
season. Unlike most areas of the country,
Phoenix does not really have four seasons of
weather. Rather, there is the dry season
and the wet season. Rarely will Phoenix
see snow, tornadoes, or other major weather
issues that plague most parts of the country.
Instead, Phoenix has its summer thunderstorms.
The monsoon season begins in July and lasts
until September and is responsible for the most
of the rainfall in the Valley of the Sun.
Most notably, these summer thunderstorms are
known for their spectacular light shows.
On occasion, low lying areas will be inundated
with flooding or walls of blowing dust known as
haboobs that create driving hazards.
Locals
generally do not mind the heat in the summer and
everyone lives for the moderate temperatures
during the winter (Phoenix is one of the few
areas in the country where locals where winter
coats in 50°F weather--really it is cold!).
Average
temperatures in metro Phoenix
You will see
average temperatures for the Phoenix area
published in various places, and they will vary
by a degree or two. Keep in mind that the
official temperature for Phoenix is monitored at
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport in
downtown Phoenix. Suburbs of Phoenix may have
slightly cooler temperatures on average, maybe
as much as five degrees.
January
Average high temperature: 66
Average low temperature: 41
Warmest ever: 88
Coldest ever: 17
Average precipitation: .8
February
Average high temperature: 70
Average low temperature: 44
Warmest ever: 92
Coldest ever: 22
Average precipitation: .6
March
Average high temperature: 75
Average low temperature: 49
Warmest ever: 100
Coldest ever: 25
Average precipitation: .9
April
Average high temperature: 84
Average low temperature: 55
Warmest ever: 105
Coldest ever: 32
Average precipitation: .3
May
Average high temperature: 93
Average low temperature: 64
Warmest ever: 113
Coldest ever: 40
Average precipitation: .1
June
Average high temperature: 103
Average low temperature: 72
Warmest ever: 122
Coldest ever: 50
Average precipitation: .1
July
Average high temperature: 105
Average low temperature: 80
Warmest ever: 121
Coldest ever: 61
Average precipitation: .8
August
Average high temperature: 103
Average low temperature: 79
Warmest ever: 116
Coldest ever: 60
Average precipitation: 1.0
September
Average high temperature: 99
Average low temperature: 72
Warmest ever: 118
Coldest ever: 47
Average precipitation: .7
October
Average high temperature: 88
Average low temperature: 61
Warmest ever: 107
Coldest ever: 34
Average precipitation: .6
November
Average high temperature: 75
Average low temperature: 48
Warmest ever: 93
Coldest ever: 25
Average precipitation: .6
December
Average high temperature: 66
Average low temperature: 42
Warmest ever: 88
Coldest ever: 22
Average precipitation: .9
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