Weather in Scottsdale, Arizona
Saguaro crowns open white. Day 58 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
- TodayMay 16Clear—91°71°
- SundayMay 17Overcast—87°65°
- MondayMay 18Overcast—82°61°
- TuesdayMay 19Overcast—84°70°
- WednesdayMay 20Overcast—87°71°
- ThursdayMay 21Overcast—89°74°
- FridayMay 22Clear—92°75°
- PM 2.5
- 10.0 μg/m³
- PM 10
- 78.5 μg/m³
- NO₂
- 1.1 μg/m³
- Ozone
- 119.0 μg/m³
- UV Index
- 3.1 Moderate
Flowers blooming in late autumn, a sure sign of a bad winter coming.
- Moonrise
- 11:54 AM
- Moonset
- 1:37 AM
- In sign
- ♉︎ Taurus
Saguaro crowns open white
Scottsdale at a glance
- Today vs. normal: 13°F above the seasonal normal for this latitude
- Last frost: March 9 (climatological average for this latitude)
- Microseason: 28 of 72, May 16–20
- Planting window: Direct sow okra, melons, and southern peas. Thin carrot rows.
Right now in the garden
Peak growing season
As of May 16, the growing season is at its peak — frost is months away. Continue succession-planting beans and summer squash. Start fall brassicas (broccoli, cabbage, kale) from seed indoors for transplanting in late summer.
Planting calendar
| Month | Plant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| January | — | — |
| February | — | — |
| March | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes | — |
| April | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes, tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | — |
| May | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| June | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| July | — | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| August | — | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| September | — | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| October | fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots | winter squash, tomatoes (last) |
| November | fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots | — |
| December | — | — |
A year in weather
July stands as Scottsdale's warmest month with mean temperatures around 88°F, while December brings the coldest conditions at roughly 53°F. Rainfall follows its own calendar, peaking in February at 1.7 inches before dropping to just 0.1 inches during June.
| Month | Mean temp | Precip | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 53° | 1.5″ | 5 |
| February | 55° | 1.7″ | 6 |
| March | 60° | 1.5″ | 5 |
| April | 66° | 0.5″ | 2 |
| May | 74° | 0.3″ | 1 |
| June | 84° | 0.1″ | 1 |
| July | 88° | 1.0″ | 3 |
| August | 87° | 1.3″ | 4 |
| September | 82° | 0.8″ | 3 |
| October | 72° | 0.9″ | 3 |
| November | 61° | 0.8″ | 3 |
| December | 53° | 1.4″ | 5 |
Regional context
Scottsdale belongs to a hot desert climate region that extends across nearby cities. This shared classification means similar temperature ranges, seasonal patterns, and growing conditions throughout the area.
Similar climates: Phoenix, AZ, Tucson, AZ, Mesa, AZ, Gilbert, AZ, Chandler, AZ.
Naturalist notes
Desert lupines begin their purple bloom across the Sonoran landscape during late March and April.
Curve-billed thrashers start their nesting season in April, with pairs building thorny homes in cholla and palo verde trees.
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in Scottsdale?
- Spring's final frost typically occurs around mid-March in Scottsdale, while the first fall frost returns around mid-December.
- What is the rainy season in Scottsdale?
- February delivers the most rainfall at approximately 1.7 inches on average, contributing to the city's annual total of roughly 12 inches.
- What is the warmest month in Scottsdale?
- July typically records the highest temperatures, with averages around 88°F.
- What is the coldest month in Scottsdale?
- December usually brings the coldest weather, averaging about 53°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in Scottsdale?
- Plant cool-season crops like peas and lettuce around the last spring frost in mid-March. Warm-season varieties such as tomatoes and peppers should wait 1–2 weeks after that date.
- How many rainy days does Scottsdale get?
- Scottsdale records an average of about 41 rainy days each year.
- What hardiness zone is Scottsdale?
- Check the USDA's online lookup tool using Scottsdale's ZIP code to find the current hardiness zone designation, which reflects the area's lowest average winter temperatures.
Climate
Scottsdale, Arizona sits in a hot desert climate zone. Winter temperatures in January hover near 53°F, while July brings averages of 88°F — creating a 35°F seasonal swing.
Annual precipitation totals about 12 inches across roughly 41 rainy days throughout the year.
Geography shapes the local weather patterns through latitude (33.7°N), proximity to large water bodies, and elevation. These factors determine what grows here, when frost threatens, and the daily weather patterns residents experience.