Arizona summers are long and hot. In 2024 Phoenix hit 100 degrees or more for 113 days in a row, a record. Locals cope by doing outdoor things early in the morning or after sunset, drinking water all day, keeping the AC serviced, using sunshades and never leaving a person or pet in a parked car. And no, you probably can't fry an egg on the sidewalk, because an egg needs about 158 degrees to set. The payoff is a fall, winter and spring that people move here for.
People ask me all the time what summer in Arizona is really like. Here's the honest answer. In Arizona, we have two seasons: summer, and summer is coming.
You'll know summer has arrived when you grab your steering wheel with two fingers, sit on your seatbelt buckle and yell, and start planning your errands around which stores have covered parking. Welcome. You're one of us now.
Just how hot are we talking?
Hot. In 2024, Phoenix hit 100 degrees or more for 113 days in a row, from late May all the way into the middle of September. The old record was 76 days, set in 1993. It was the hottest summer on record for the city.
Locals don't say "it's hot." We say "it's only 104 today," and we mean it as good news.
You know you're a local when
1 - You keep oven mitts in the car, and they aren't for cooking.
2 - You call 90 degrees "nice out."
3 - Your cold water tap runs hot until about October.
4 - You pick a parking spot based on shade, not distance.
Can you really fry an egg on the sidewalk?
Every summer someone tries it. Every summer it mostly doesn't work. An egg needs to reach about 158 degrees before it starts to set, according to Live Science, and a sidewalk usually doesn't get that hot. Concrete is light colored, reflects a lot of sunlight and doesn't pass heat into an egg very well.
So the sidewalk egg is more of a sidewalk mess. Your neighbors will thank you for skipping it. If you want breakfast, use the stove, which, conveniently, is inside where the air conditioning is.
Live like a desert local
The secret to an Arizona summer isn't toughness. It's timing.
1 - Do outdoor things early. Walks, yard work, golf and errands that involve walking across a parking lot all happen before about 9 in the morning.
2 - Come back out after sunset. Summer evenings by a pool or under a misting system are a big part of why people love it here.
3 - Spend the middle of the day inside. Malls, movie theaters, libraries and your own living room were made for this.
4 - Drink water before you're thirsty. Carry a bottle everywhere, and keep one in the car.
Know the warning signs of heat illness, like dizziness, headache, nausea and heavy sweating or no sweating at all. The Arizona Department of Health Services tips for extreme heat are worth a read, and Maricopa County's heat relief page lists cooling and hydration stations each summer.
Your car is an oven with wheels
A parked car heats up fast. Never leave a person or a pet inside, not even for a quick run into the store.
A few things locals swear by:
1 - A windshield sunshade. It's not optional here.
2 - A towel or cover for the steering wheel and seats.
3 - Parking in the shade, even if it means a longer walk. Especially if it means a longer walk.
4 - A case of water in the trunk. Swap it out regularly.
Your house works harder than you do
Your AC is the hardest working thing in your home from May through September. Have it serviced in the spring, before the first 110 degree day, because that's when every AC company in the Valley gets busy at once. Change filters often, and keep blinds closed on the sunny side of the house.
Your power company plan matters too. Some plans charge more during certain hours, and cooling the house down before those hours can lower your bill. More in SRP vs. APS for home buyers, and more on keeping your home in shape in Arizona summer home ownership.
The pool turns into soup
Here's something nobody warns you about. By July, the water in an unshaded pool can feel more like a warm bath than a cool dip. Late night swims help. So does a shade sail. More in Pool homes in Chandler.
Paws on pavement
If you have a dog, test the pavement with the back of your hand before a walk. If you can't hold it there comfortably, it's too hot for their paws. Walk early, walk late and stick to grass when you can.
Then the monsoon shows up
Just when you think summer has peaked, the monsoon arrives with dust storms, sudden downpours and lightning shows that are honestly worth staying up for. It also brings humidity, so the heat feels different. More in Monsoon season home prep.
Plan a getaway
One of the best summer tricks is remembering that Arizona isn't all low desert. Flagstaff, Prescott and Payson sit at higher elevations and run much cooler, and they're a drive away, not a flight. Plenty of locals plan a long weekend up north in July just to remember what a jacket feels like.
Why we stay
Here's the truth about Arizona summers. They're long, and they're hot. And then fall shows up, and it's perfect. Winter here means sunny days in the 60s and 70s while friends back home are shoveling snow. Spring brings blooming desert and patio season. Most people who live here will tell you that three great seasons are worth one tough one.
If you're thinking about a move to the Valley and want an honest local take on what life here is really like, I'm happy to talk it through. More in Relocating to Chandler from out of state.
Reach out to my team and I today.
Questions, answered.
How hot does it get in Phoenix in the summer?
Very hot. In 2024 Phoenix hit 100 degrees or more for 113 days in a row, a record, and it was the city's hottest summer on record.
Can you really fry an egg on the sidewalk in Arizona?
Usually not. An egg needs about 158 degrees to set, and a sidewalk doesn't typically get that hot.
How do people cope with Arizona summers?
By doing outdoor things early or after sunset, drinking water all day, keeping the AC serviced, using sunshades and planning trips to cooler places like Flagstaff.
When is the hottest part of the year in Arizona?
Generally June through August, with heat often lasting from late May into September.
Is living in Arizona worth the summer heat?
Many people say yes. Fall, winter and spring are mild and sunny, and most locals feel three great seasons make up for one hot one.
Want to talk it through?
Bring me the specifics of your situation and I will tell you straight what I would do. No pitch, nothing to sign, and no obligation to work with me afterward.
Talk to me about moving to the Valley