The Scottsdale Weather Forecast:
Sun, Sun & more Sun

Scottsdale Weather Breakdown

• Scottsdale Weather ranges from mild winters to hot summers.

• October through May, temperatures range from the 60's to mid-80's. These are what I call the "I-love-living-in-Scottsdale" months.

• June through September, temperatures are usually above 105 degrees.  The hottest I've seen it get is 122 degrees.  These are what I call the "oh-yeah-I-now-remember-I-live-in-the-desert" months.

• There are two rainy seasons; one in winter (there's more sun than rain, trust me) and one in summer during the monsoon season.

• The Arizona Monsoon Season typically occurs in July/August.   Monsoons are very intense, very cool storms to watch.  

• Snow is rare but has been known to fall in higher regions of the valley.  I've lived in Scottsdale since 1998 and I've seen it snow twice.  

Hard to believe, right?  Here's proof.

My parents front yard, showing the snowfall in North Scottsdale, Circa December 2006

Is Phoenix Too Hot in the Summer?

The answer is....it depends.

Whether or not a Scottsdale summer is survivable is all relative. 

Most locals don't mind it too much.  A sweaty three months is a small price to pay when the rest of the year is stunning.

Plus, 117 degrees in the desert isn't as bad as it sounds.

Many people call it a "dry-heat", and it's true.  105 degrees in Phoenix feels much different than 105 degrees in Mississippi.  Thanks to Scottsdale's arid climate, we have little to no humidity. 

Air conditioning and the dry desert air make a Scottsdale summer bearable.

What if you want to vacation in Scottsdale during the summer?

Here are a couple pros and cons to consider.

---

Summer Vacation in Scottsdale

To do, or not to do?

It boils down to this: It depends on what you want to do while you're here and how you plan on spending your time.

The obvious downside is the heat.  Summer days are definitely hot enough that it limits what you can do outside and when.  If your main goal is to explore and take advantage of the amazing outdoor activities in Phoenix , I would say, consider visiting when things are a bit cooler.  You might get more out of your trip.

But if you're biggest plan on the agenda is to relax at one of the luxury resorts in Scottsdale, then I'd say...pack that bikini and those board shorts and come on over. 

Why? Because the summertime can be the best time to enjoy our luxury accommodations for one main reason: killer “off-season” rates. 

If you visit between June through September, your Scottsdale vacation will cost less than half of what you'd pay during peak season.

(My friends and I had a "stay-cation" at the Firesky Resort in June, at a rate of $104 per night.  The normal peak-season rate is around $350.  Yes, even us locals take advantage of the off-season.)

Even if you're here when Scottsdale weather is screaming, "desert, desert, desert"...it doesn't mean you have to be glued to the resort.

My dad is a huge golfer and loves to take advantage of the off-season green fees at the top golf courses in Scottsdale.  He just schedules super-early tee-times and finishes an ultra cheap round of golf before the heat really kicks in.

There are also plenty of water activities to enjoy during the summer.  You can usually find my friends and I at any of the beautiful five lakes around Phoenix.  (Summer means wakeboarding time!)

My friend and I enjoying Sunday Funday wakeboarding at Canyon Lake.

And if you want to take in some culture, there are excellent indoor attractions that can add some entertainment to your trip.

So it's really up to you.  But if you want to be here when Scottsdale weather is at its peak, then the best time to visit is the end of October through mid-May.  The weather is absolutely stellar.

---

Extreme Weather in Phoenix?

Besides the heat, there isn't much extreme weather to experience in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area.  No hurricanes to contend with.  No crazy snow storms.

Although, every now and then, Phoenix weather is host to a phenomenon that happens in very few parts of the world.  

It's so huge, it'll definitely blow your hair back when you see it.  Literally.

Ever heard of a...haboob?

It's a funny word for an unusual phenomenon.

"Haboob" is the term given to a gigantic dust storm, known only to occur in the Sonoran Desert, the Sahara and parts of the Middle East.  They're usually triggered by thunderstorms and typically happen during the Arizona Monsoon Season.

A haboob about to take over Phoenix and Scottsdale.

That's not something you see every day is it? 

Read more about these mysterious haboobs here.

---

Fun Fact

Want to learn some local slang? 

When you're in Scottsdale, you may hear people use the word "snowbird" quite a bit.

It's a term we locals use for those East Coast and Mid-Westerners that flock to the valley during the winter months.  We have so many of these "winter residents", that the population of Phoenix and Scottsdale practically doubles October through May every year.

But you can't really blame them. 

Who would want to deal with this...

When you can have this...

Scottsdale weather makes it possible to lay by a pool almost year-round.

---

With over 330 sunny days per year, Scottsdale weather is pretty hard to beat. 

All that sunshine makes celebrating life in Scottsdale a very easy thing to do.

Return from Scottsdale Weather to Destination Scottsdale

New! Comments