What to Wear in Phoenix
USA · 6 monthly packing guides
Phoenix (Phoenix + Scottsdale, the Sonoran Desert metropolitan area known as the 'Valley of the Sun') runs extreme desert heat. Per NOAA Phoenix Sky Harbor data, June-August afternoons average 40-41°C / 104-106°F; NWS Phoenix counts 21 days of 110°F or more in an average year (1991-2020) and a record 122°F on 26 June 1990. The North American monsoon brings summer afternoon thunderstorms and dust storms ('haboobs'). Scottsdale runs golf-and-spa luxury (the Phoenician, open since 1988, plus Sanctuary Camelback and JW Marriott Camelback Inn); Old Town Scottsdale runs Western-cowboy-tourist (Bischoff's Shades of the West, Saba's Western Wear); the Camelback Corridor + Biltmore runs Arizona Biltmore luxury; Roosevelt Row runs the downtown contemporary-arts district. Local Western register: Saba's Western Wear, Stetson, Tecovas, Lucchese and Kemo Sabe, plus Native American silver-and-turquoise jewelry from the Heard Museum shop + Old Town Scottsdale Native traders. Winter turns the clock around: the Desert Botanical Garden has lit its trails for Las Noches de las Luminarias since 1978, and the Cherokee designer Lloyd Kiva New built his silk-screen fashion career in Scottsdale in the 1950s. SPF 50 + wide-brim hat + electrolytes are summer infrastructure; July sunrise comes at about 5:20-5:40am and sunset at about 7:30-7:40pm, which sets the Phoenix-summer schedule (outdoor activity 5-9am only, indoor + AC midday).
Choose your month below to match your layers and shoes to the weather. Across the months covered, average daily lows reach 7°C / 45°F in December; average highs reach 41°C / 106°F in July.
Compare Phoenix by month
Monthly averages help compare packing needs; check the forecast before departure. Only months with published guides are listed. See the source notes below for station and measurement differences. Scroll across the table to see all weather details on a small screen.
| Month | Average low | Average high | Rain days | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January packing guide | 8°C / 46°F | 20°C / 68°F | 4 | 10h 10m |
| May packing guide | 21°C / 70°F | 35°C / 95°F | 1 | 13h 45m |
| June packing guide | 26°C / 79°F | 40°C / 104°F | 1 | 14h 15m |
| July packing guide | 29°C / 84°F | 41°C / 106°F | 4 | 14h |
| August packing guide | 29°C / 84°F | 41°C / 106°F | 5 | 13h 15m |
| December packing guide | 7°C / 45°F | 19°C / 66°F | 4 | 9h 55m |
Choose your Phoenix packing list
Phoenix in January: 20°C / 68°F days, 8°C / 46°F nights, and nine days of collector cars crossing the block in north Scottsdale.
In this capsule: Black leather moto jacket, asymmetric zip; Racing-red merino crew-neck sweater; White cotton poplin shirt.
Phoenix in May is pre-monsoon Sonoran Desert dry heat — 35°C / 95°F afternoons, 21°C / 70°F mornings, 1 rain day. Before June-August 40-41°C / 104-106°F.
In this capsule: Lightweight cotton sundress or linen midi (cream, ivory, sand only); Tailored chinos or cotton shorts + cotton tee; Closed-toe leather sneakers or breathable Western boots.
Phoenix in June is peak Sonoran Desert dry heat — 40°C / 104°F afternoons, 26°C / 79°F mornings, 1 rain day. 113°F+ days routine + monsoon late June.
In this capsule: Lightweight cotton sundress or linen midi (cream, ivory, sand only); Tailored chinos or cotton shorts + cotton tee; Closed-toe leather sneakers or breathable Western boots.
Phoenix in July is peak Sonoran heat + active monsoon — 41°C / 106°F afternoons, 29°C / 84°F mornings, 4 rain days. 117°F+ record days possible.
In this capsule: Lightweight cotton sundress or linen midi (cream, ivory, sand only); Tailored chinos or cotton shorts + cotton tee; Closed-toe leather sneakers or breathable Western boots.
Phoenix in August is peak Sonoran heat + active monsoon continuing — 41°C / 106°F afternoons, 29°C / 84°F mornings, 5 rain days.
In this capsule: Lightweight cotton sundress or linen midi (cream, ivory, sand only); Tailored chinos or cotton shorts + cotton tee; Closed-toe leather sneakers or breathable Western boots.
Phoenix in December: 19°C / 66°F days, 7°C / 45°F nights, and 20 nights of luminarias along the Desert Botanical Garden's trails.
In this capsule: Rust corduroy jacket, cropped; Camel fine-gauge crew-neck sweater; Ivory cotton button-down shirt.
Climate sources by month
These credits follow the source recorded on each monthly guide. Climate figures inform the packing advice; outfit combinations and illustrations are editorial suggestions.
- January: NOAA · Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) · 1991–2020 normalsCovers the Phoenix–Scottsdale metro; Sky Harbor is the reference station for both.
- May: NOAA · Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) · 1991–2020 normalsCovers the Phoenix–Scottsdale metro; Sky Harbor is the reference station for both.
- June: NOAA · Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) · 1991–2020 normalsCovers the Phoenix–Scottsdale metro; Sky Harbor is the reference station for both.
- July: NOAA · Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) · 1991–2020 normalsCovers the Phoenix–Scottsdale metro; Sky Harbor is the reference station for both.
- August: NOAA · Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) · 1991–2020 normalsCovers the Phoenix–Scottsdale metro; Sky Harbor is the reference station for both.
- December: NOAA · Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) · 1991–2020 normalsCovers the Phoenix–Scottsdale metro; Sky Harbor is the reference station for both.
Frequently asked questions
Start with your travel month. The 6 published guides cover January, May, June, July, August, December. Compare the average low as well as the high: among these months, December has the lowest average low at 7°C / 45°F, while July has the highest average high at 41°C / 106°F. For a trip spanning two months, read both lists before deciding which layers to bring.
No. They are monthly climate averages for planning, not temperatures promised for a particular day or hour. Check the local forecast close to departure and adjust your layers and rain protection. The source, station and averaging period are listed for each month where recorded; different stations or rain-day definitions can affect comparisons.
No. Treat the capsule as a set of clothing functions: walking shoes, a base outfit, weather protection and any change for dinner or a venue's dress code. Start with equivalents you own. Adjust quantities to your trip length and laundry access; the illustrations are outfit suggestions, not a shopping requirement.