Phoenix - Coldest Decades

The coldest decades on record are ranked here for Phoenix, Arizona. The lists include decades when Phoenix had the lowest average temperatures, the fewest hot days and the most cold days. These extremes are for temperatures observed at Sky Harbor International Airport near downtown Phoenix and cover seven decades, from the 1950s to the 2010s.

That is when Phoenix had weather measurements that are consistent and complete enough to compare decades. Each decade comprises a standard 10-year range. For instance, the 1990s includes measurements from Jan 1, 1990 to Dec 31, 1999. Links to the data behind these lists are in the References section on this page.

Coolest High Temperatures

Average daily maximum temperature at Phoenix
High °F Decade High °C
Lowest 84.6 1960s 29.2
Runner-up 85.0 1950s 29.5

Coldest Low Temperatures

Average daily minimum temperature at Phoenix
Low °F Decade Low °C
Lowest 55.6 1960s 13.1
Runner-up 56.8 1950s 13.8

Fewest Warm Days

Total days per year on average when Phoenix had temperatures of at least 70 °F (21 °C)
Days Decade
Lowest 283 1960s
Runner-up 294 1950s

Fewest Hot Days

Total days per year on average when Phoenix had temperatures of at least 90 °F (32 °C)
Days Decade
Lowest 162 1960s
Runner-up 163 1950s

Most Freezing Days

Total days per year on average when Phoenix had temperatures of 32 °F (0 °C) or lower
Days Decade
Highest 16 1960s
Runner-up 11 1950s
References

Current Results. 2020. Phoenix AZ Temperature Averages by Decade

Jay Lawrimore, Ron Ray, Scott Applequist, Bryant Korzeniewski, Matthew Menne. 2016. Global Summary of the Year, Version 1.0. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information.

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