Month guide · Phoenix · United States
Phoenix in August
What August is really like in Phoenix: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Dru Bloomfield from Scottsdale, Arizona, USA, CC BY 2.0
Quick answer
August is a month many travellers avoid. Expect average highs of 41°C (106°F), lows of 29°C (84°F), about 5 rainy days and roughly 13.4 hours of daylight. Hot and humid with the most monsoon storms; flash flooding is possible in washes.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 41°C (106°F) / 29°C (84°F)
- Rainy days
- About 5
- Daylight
- About 13.4 hours
- Crowds
- Very quiet
- Hotel prices
- Lowest
Weather in August
August is the 2nd-warmest month in Phoenix: days average 41°C (106°F) against a yearly average high of 31°C (88°F), and nights fall to about 29°C (84°F). Rain falls on roughly 5 of its 31 days. Compared with July (41°C (106°F)), August is about as warm; by September highs drop to around 38°C (100°F).
- Sunrise (15 August)
- About 05:51
- Sunset (15 August)
- About 19:15
- Daylight
- About 13.4 hours
Summer (June–September). Extreme heat, monsoon storms and dust storms; best for discounted resort pool stays and early-morning activities only.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, August rates 1 for crowds (the peak is February at 5) and 1 for hotel prices (highest in January). That makes August one of the better-value months to book.
Events in August
August has no major recurring festival in Phoenix, which usually means easier bookings.
What to do in August
With intense heat, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Experience · North Phoenix
Sunrise hot-air balloon flight
From autumn to spring, balloon operators launch at dawn over the Sonoran Desert north of the city, drifting above saguaros and washes with views of the McDowell and Bradshaw mountains before a traditional champagne toast on landing.
- Time needed
- 3–4 hours including transfers
- Cost
- Expensive
- Couples
- Views
- Outdoors
- Photo spot
Museum · Midtown Phoenix
Heard Museum
Allow time for the boarding school exhibit and the museum shop, which sells work bought directly from Native artists.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Art
- History
- Rainy day
Museum · North Phoenix
Musical Instrument Museum
The MIM displays thousands of instruments from around the world, arranged by country, with wireless headphones that play performance videos automatically as you approach each display.
- Time needed
- 3–4 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Rainy day
- Kids
- Art
Museum · Midtown Phoenix
Phoenix Art Museum
Ask for a timed entry to the Kusama room on arrival; visits inside are short and spaced out.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Art
- Rainy day
What to pack
For highs near 41°C, lows near 29°C and 5 wet days: light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; comfortable walking shoes.
Is August a good time to visit Phoenix?
A month many travellers avoid. If your dates are flexible, November–April are better overall. Compare every month.
Phoenix in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is August a good time to visit Phoenix?
It is a month many travellers avoid. Hot and humid with the most monsoon storms; flash flooding is possible in washes.
+How warm is Phoenix in August?
Average highs are around 41°C (106°F) and lows around 29°C (84°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Phoenix in August?
Expect rain on about 5 days of the month.