How hot does it get in Arizona?

Located in the southwestern part of the United States and with a Saguaro (cactus) as the official state flower, it's no surprise that Arizona can reach temperatures of up to 45°C/113°F during summer. Yes, you read that right. In fact, the hottest day on record in Arizona was June 29th, 1994 when the temperature reached a staggeringly high 53°C/128°F. Thankfully the average temperature in summer is much lower (albeit still very hot), sitting in the mid-30s°C/90s°F.

But, just because it's hot, doesn't mean Arizona doesn't experience rainfall during summer from time to time. While the state enjoys roughly around 330 days of sunshine per year, the months of June, July, and August does see rainfall for an average of 3 days per month. However, this is usually only around 0.3 inches per day so it won't stop you from enjoying time outside to explore the state's beautiful landscapes.

What is Arizona's climate like?

Arizona enjoys a mix of two different climates - arid and semi-arid depending on where in the state you're located. The state's geological and topographical features play a big part in determining its climate with plenty of mountain ranges, desert regions and flat plains all affecting weather patterns. For the most part, the state is quite dry and hot, however, it experiences an average annual rainfall between 3 inches and 40 inches from the southwest (Yuma) to the east-central part (White Mountains) of Arizona.

The state also experiences snowfall in some parts during winter, particularly in its northern and high-altitude regions such as Flagstaff which sees around 100 inches of snowfall per year. This number decreases as you move towards the southern parts of the state, however, cities such as Tucson and Phoenix do still experience a slight dusting of snow every once in a while but it doesn't stick on the ground for longer than 24 hours.

Does Arizona get tornadoes?

The simple answer is yes, Arizona can get tornadoes during the late spring/early summer seasons but they're usually weak and don't last very long. They're also not expected annually with the last known tornado recorded in Flagstaff in 2019.

What to pack for summer in Arizona

While you might be tempted to walk outside your accommodation in nothing but a lightweight dress or t-shirt and shorts combo, you need to make sure you're dressing the sun-smart way. The sun's UV rays in Arizona can reach a level of 11, peaking between the hours of 10 am to 4 pm every day. This high rating can be extremely dangerous for your skin and eyes if they remain unprotected for long periods of time.

This means covering up as much of your body as you can - think flowy maxi dresses and pants and shirts made out of linen. You should always wear a hat outside (preferably a cap or one that has a longer flap at the back) to protect the top of your head and neck so make sure you pack one with you to wear on your travels. You should also always be wearing UV-blocking sunglasses and applying sunscreen with an SPF 30+ rating liberally every 2 hours, especially if you're sweating or swimming.

Average temperatures in summer in Arizona

MONTH	AVERAGE HIGH	AVERAGE LOW
June	41°C/106°F	23°C/73°F
July	42°C/108°F	27°C/81°F
August	41°C/106°F	27°C/81°F
September	38°C/100°F	24°C/75°F