Month guide · Phoenix · United States
Phoenix in January
What January is really like in Phoenix: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Kirs10 at English Wikipedia, Public domain
Quick answer
January is one of the best months to visit Phoenix. Expect average highs of 19°C (66°F), lows of 8°C (46°F), about 4 rainy days and roughly 10.2 hours of daylight. Sunny and mild by day, cold at night; peak resort season begins.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 19°C (66°F) / 8°C (46°F)
- Rainy days
- About 4
- Daylight
- About 10.2 hours
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- Highest
Weather in January
January is the 11th-warmest month in Phoenix: days average 19°C (66°F) against a yearly average high of 31°C (88°F), and nights fall to about 8°C (46°F). Rain falls on roughly 4 of its 31 days. Compared with December (19°C (66°F)), January is about as warm; by February highs climb to around 22°C (72°F).
- Sunrise (15 January)
- About 07:32
- Sunset (15 January)
- About 17:43
- Daylight
- About 10.2 hours
Winter (December–February). Mild, sunny days and cold nights; peak season for golf, resorts and events, with high prices.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, January rates 4 for crowds (the peak is February at 5) and 5 for hotel prices (highest in January). Book accommodation early: January is one of the pricier months.
Events in January
- Barrett-Jackson collector car auction in Scottsdale (usually late January)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in January
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
Garden · Papago Park
Desert Botanical Garden
Visit at opening or in the evening in warmer months; in December, the luminaria nights light the paths with thousands of candle bags.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Outdoors
- Nature
- Photo spot
- Couples
Nature · Arcadia
Camelback Mountain
The city's signature hike climbs the 'hump' of Camelback Mountain, whose summit stands about 820 metres above sea level.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Views
- Active
- Outdoors
Nature · Phoenix Mountains Preserve
Piestewa Peak
Go at sunrise on a weekday; parking at the main trailhead fills early on weekends.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Active
- Outdoors
Park · South Phoenix
South Mountain Park and Preserve
One of the largest city parks in the country, covering about 6,500 hectares of desert ridges with more than 80 km of trails.
- Time needed
- 2–4 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Outdoors
- History
- After dark
What to pack
For highs near 19°C, lows near 8°C and 4 wet days: layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; comfortable walking shoes.
Is January a good time to visit Phoenix?
One of the best months to visit Phoenix, with a notable event on the calendar. The other best months are February–April and November–December. Compare every month.
Phoenix in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is January a good time to visit Phoenix?
It is one of the best months to visit Phoenix. Sunny and mild by day, cold at night; peak resort season begins.
+How warm is Phoenix in January?
Average highs are around 19°C (66°F) and lows around 8°C (46°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Phoenix in January?
Expect rain on about 4 days of the month, so it is usually dry.