Phoenix Weather:
Hot in the City, or Perfect?
When most people think of Phoenix weather, they immediately think HOT. Sure we've had days that reached over 120 degrees, but those are rare, and summer temperatures usually stay around a nice balmy 110 to 115 degrees.  Okay so you might be thinking...holy cow how do people handle it?? Balmy?? So I admit, it does get pretty toasty around here, but after 11 years of living here, Phoenix summer temperatures have not scared me away yet.
Sure its not too fun getting inside your car only to burn your hand on the seat belt and then the steering wheel...but the heat only sticks around for a few months, and the other 9 months of the year make it all worth it. Trust me. Surviving a Phoenix summer is easier than you think. You'll hear a lot of people call it a "dry heat". And its true. We have little to no humidity in the desert, so it makes a huge difference on those hot summer days. Still, people will complain the dry heat is still pretty unbearable...or, you'll be like my dad and do yard work outside like its any other day. As for me, I don't mind the heat and you'll never hear me complaining about the Phoenix weather. It can be inconvenient sometimes, but its a small price to pay. I just take advantage of air conditioning and swimming pools and spend as much time at the lakes as possible. Either way, don't let our arid climate scare you. Scottsdale Arizona weather during the months of October through May are arguably the best you will find out of anywhere in the United States. We have an average of over 300 sunny days per year, so you can count on a perfect fall, winter and spring season. I will tell you that even being the Southern California girl that I am, I still prefer Phoenix weather over any other place. You just can't beat beautiful Scottsdale Arizona weather. It's probably why the population of Phoenix and Scottsdale practically doubles during these months. As you can imagine, we become a popular destination for people wanting to escape colder climates. We locals call these visitors "snowbirds", and they are easy to spot driving around town with their midwest or back east license plates!  But you can't blame them. Who wouldn't want to escape below freezing temperatures to bask in a perfect 75 degree day during the middle of winter? I know I would. The amazing Phoenix weather caters to anyone who enjoys playing outside...like me. Whenever I'm not working I'm usually spending my days enjoying a bike ride or doing some hiking. My dad is an avid golfer and thanks his lucky stars for living in an area that offers "perfect golfing weather"...Especially because we usually don't have much wind. Unlike SoCal where we had plenty of Santa Ana's, here we do not have that problem. We typically only see wind during the Arizona Monsoon Season...which is actually a pretty cool time of year. If you like watching dramatic thunderstorms, make a trip to Scottsdale during the Arizona Monsoon Season.
Phoenix Weather Breakdown
Besides the heat, the only other "extreme" weather in Phoenix are the gigantic dust storms that can occur between May and September. These storms are called "haboobs" and they are only known to occur in the Sonoran Desert, the Sahara and parts of the Middle East.
A haboob about to take over Phoenix.
 They are simply massive and will boggle your mind when you see them. They do not happen all the time, but are usually triggered by a thunderstorm. Read more about these mysterious haboobs here.
SunsetsOne of the first things I noticed when I moved to Scottsdale are the sunsets. They are dramatic, colorful and a gift we get to enjoy almost regularly. The sunsets in Scottsdale have been hands down some of the best I have ever seen.
The way the purple and magenta light casts across the desert floor is simply breathtaking. It's peaceful, serene and quite magical. I always love driving around sundown with my music playing and the windows down...breathing in the pleasant air. Just cruising. We locals have a distinct advantage for viewing sunsets, for the sky above the valley has a relatively unobstructed view, so you can see different pockets of brilliant light in all different parts of the valley. A look to the East may bring a purple sky with dark streaky clouds, while a look to the West will bring a brilliant orange sky full of puffy yellow and gold clouds stretched towards the heavens. If you're lucky enough to catch a sunset here, make sure to look to the north towards the McDowell mountains and watch the way the light makes the hills come alive. They look like they are glowing. Scottsdale Arizona weather and sunsets are something you can only appreciate once you've been here and experienced them for yourself.
With so many sunny days, its no wonder Phoenix is called the "Valley of the Sun". Residents here feel like they have hit the jackpot when it comes to ideal weather. I hear my friends and family say all the time just how lucky they feel to live in such a beautiful place that offers so many perfect days to enjoy the outdoors. I couldn't agree with them more. I am another one of those people that feels truly fortunate to be here to enjoy the Phoenix weather.
Now its your turn to come on over and see what this great Phoenix weather is all about.
Return from Phoenix Weather to Destination Scottsdale
|
