Phoenix - Hottest Decades

Ranked here are the hottest decades on record for Phoenix, Arizona. The lists include decades when Phoenix had the highest average temperatures, the most hot days and the fewest 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.

Hottest High Temperatures

Average daily maximum temperature at Phoenix
High °F Decade High °C
Highest 87.9 2010s 31.0
Runner-up 87.2 2000s 30.7

Warmest Low Temperatures

Average daily minimum temperature at Phoenix
Low °F Decade Low °C
Highest 64.6 2010s 18.1
Runner-up 64.1 2000s 17.8

Most Warm Days

Total days per year on average when Phoenix had temperatures of at least 70 °F (21 °C)
Days Decade
Highest 311 2010s
Runner-up 301 1980s

Most Hot Days

Total days per year on average when Phoenix had temperatures of at least 90 °F (32 °C)
Days Decade
Highest 176 2000s
Runner-up 175 2010s

Fewest Freezing Days

Total days per year on average when Phoenix had temperatures of 32 °F (0 °C) or lower
Days Decade
Lowest 1 2010s, 2000s, 1990s, 1980s
Runner-up 7 1970s

How Much Hotter are 2010s?

Compared with averages for the previous 50 years (1960 to 2009), the 2010s in Phoenix had:

  • 6 more days each year with temperatures of 90 °F and higher
  • 18 more days each year with temperatures of 70 °F and higher
  • 1.7 °F higher daily maximum temperatures (0.9 °C)
  • 3.7 °F higher daily minimum temperatures (2.1 °C)
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.

Back to Top