The climate of Mesa, AZ
Mesa has a tropical and subtropical, hot desert type of climate (Köppen climate classification BWh) with scorching summers and mild winters, and a meager amount of rainfall. It is a suburban city in the Maricopa County of
Arizona, east of Phoenix, in the southwestern United States. Mesa lies in the Sonoran Desert, which significantly influences its climate and is a part of the sunniest region in the world.
Mesa's topography is mostly flat with desertlands, shrublands, and mesas. The average elevation stands at 375 meters above sea level. Mesa registers 3800 hours of annual sunshine that lasts for 80% of the daylight hours. The town lies in one of the driest and hottest regions in the United States with annual precipitation of barely 9.3" (236mm). The rainfall occurs in small quantities throughout the year, but the area is prone to thunderstorms and flash floods. The flatlands and arid landscape are unable to hold water, and a sudden burst of rain causes flooding. Snow is mostly absent in the far southern desert areas of the United States.
The summer sun is merciless in Mesa, and the high temperatures are mostly between 100°F (37.8°C) and 109.9°F (43.3°C). The average high temperature at the peak of
July is 106°F (41.1°C) with mostly clear skies. Winters are mild, with an average low temperature of 39.9°F (4.4°C) in the coldest month of
December. Winter days are usually bright and lie in the 60.1°F (15.6°C) to 70°F (21.1°C) zone, while the mild nights rarely drop below freezing. Spring and autumn are brief and mild, as the weather remains predominantly hot for a significant part of the year. The skies are mostly clear, and the conditions are dry due to low humidity.
The highest recorded temperature in Mesa is 118.9°F (48.3°C) in July 1995, while the record for the lowest temperature is 15.1°F (-9.4°C).
The best time to visit Mesa, AZ
The best time to visit
Mesa is between
November to
March during the relatively cold winter and the short seasons of spring and autumn when the temperatures are agreeable. The winter nights are mostly above 35.1°F (1.7°C), while the days are warm and rarely cross 80.1°F (26.7°C). The sun's intensity is on the mild side during the winter, the rainfall is low, and there are no thunderstorms. Mesa receives visitors from all over America and typically the north where the winters are severely cold.
The worst time to visit Mesa, AZ
The worst time to visit
Mesa is during the period from
June to
September when the sun is scorching, and the blistering heat is unbearable most of the time. Summer is prone to thunderstorms, and moderate rainfall causes flash floods, as the landscape is unable to hold even small quantities of water due to lack of vegetation. The dry and sunny days register 100°F (37.8°C) for the majority of the summer, and the extreme conditions mean that nights differ by 30 degrees Fahrenheit from the day. The apparent temperature is a few degrees higher than the registered one.
Weather hazards
Mesa lies in the hot Sonoran Desert, which experiences thunderstorms with lightning and flash floods during the summer. The city is a part of the Phoenix Metropolitan Area that is prone to thunder and dust storms from
July to
September. Dry streambeds quickly turn into raging water torrents as the sparse vegetation of the arid shrublands in the region cannot absorb rainfall even in small quantities.
Weather in January
January, like
December, in
Mesa,
Arizona, is another comfortable winter month, with an average temperature varying between 46.4°F (8°C) and 63.9°F (17.7°C). In Mesa, Arizona, the average high-temperature in January is practically the same as in December - a still enjoyable 63.9°F (17.7°C).
Weather in January » Weather in February
The last month of the winter,
February, is another comfortable month in
Mesa,
Arizona, with an average temperature varying between 66.7°F (19.3°C) and 48.7°F (9.3°C). In February, the average high-temperature is essentially the same as in
January - a still enjoyable 66.7°F (19.3°C).
Weather in February »Weather in March
The first month of the spring,
March, is a warm month in
Mesa,
Arizona, with an average temperature ranging between max 74.8°F (23.8°C) and min 54.9°F (12.7°C). In Mesa, the average high-temperature in March slightly increases from an enjoyable 66.7°F (19.3°C) in
February to a moderately hot 74.8°F (23.8°C).
Weather in March »
Weather in April
April, like
March, in
Mesa,
Arizona, is a moderately hot spring month, with an average temperature fluctuating between 82°F (27.8°C) and 59.7°F (15.4°C). In Mesa, the average high-temperature in April marginally rises from 74.8°F (23.8°C) in March to a still moderately hot 82°F (27.8°C).
Weather in April » Weather in May
The last month of the spring,
May, is a hot month in
Mesa,
Arizona, with an average temperature varying between 66.6°F (19.2°C) and 90.1°F (32.3°C). In May, the average high-temperature slightly increases from a warm 82°F (27.8°C) in
April to a tropical 90.1°F (32.3°C).
Weather in May »Weather in June
The first month of the summer,
June, is a sweltering month in
Mesa,
Arizona, with an average temperature ranging between min 75.2°F (24°C) and max 100.9°F (38.3°C). In June, the average high-temperature increases from a hot 90.1°F (32.3°C) in
May to a torrid 100.9°F (38.3°C).
Weather in June »
Weather in July
July, like
June, in
Mesa,
Arizona, is another torrid summer month, with temperature in the range of an average high of 101.8°F (38.8°C) and an average low of 82.9°F (28.3°C). July is the warmest month, with an average high-temperature of 101.8°F (38.8°C) and an average low-temperature of 82.9°F (28.3°C).
Weather in July » Weather in August
August, the last month of the summer in
Mesa, is also a sweltering month, with an average temperature fluctuating between 100.9°F (38.3°C) and 83.8°F (28.8°C). In Mesa, the average high-temperature in August is practically the same as in
July - a still very hot 100.9°F (38.3°C).
Weather in August » Weather in September
September, the first month of the autumn in
Mesa, is still a torrid month, with an average temperature ranging between max 95.4°F (35.2°C) and min 77.4°F (25.2°C). In Mesa,
Arizona, the average high-temperature in September marginally drops from a sweltering 100.9°F (38.3°C) in
August to a still very hot 95.4°F (35.2°C).
Weather in September »
Weather in October
October, like
September, in
Mesa,
Arizona, is a moderately hot autumn month, with an average temperature varying between 66°F (18.9°C) and 83.8°F (28.8°C). In October, the average high-temperature decreases from a very hot 95.4°F (35.2°C) in September to a moderately hot 83.8°F (28.8°C).
Weather in October » Weather in November
The last month of the autumn,
November, is also an agreeable month in
Mesa,
Arizona, with an average temperature fluctuating between 73°F (22.8°C) and 55.2°F (12.9°C). In November, the average high-temperature drops from a moderately hot 83.8°F (28.8°C) in
October to an agreeable 73°F (22.8°C).
Weather in November »Weather in December
The first month of the winter,
December, is still a comfortable month in
Mesa,
Arizona, with temperature in the range of an average high of 62.4°F (16.9°C) and an average low of 46.6°F (8.1°C). The coldest month is December, with an average high-temperature of 62.4°F (16.9°C) and an average low-temperature of 46.6°F (8.1°C).
Weather in December » [Resources]