Scottsdale weather in January

January in Scottsdale: nice, dry — a great time to visit.

Updated September 2026 · climate normals from ERA5 reanalysis

Scottsdale🇺🇸 United States · Desert Southwest · City75
  1. 75Jan
  2. 85Feb
  3. 94Mar
  4. 87Apr
  5. 72May
  6. 42Jun
  7. 31Jul
  8. 37Aug
  9. 52Sep
  10. 78Oct
  11. 91Nov
  12. 80Dec

#7 of 12 months in Scottsdale · #598 of 1413 destinations to visit in January · comfort 75/100 (tier B)

Days
19°C
Nights
6°C
Wet days
3
Sun
8.5 h
Humidity
54%
Daylight
10 h
Scottsdale, United States
Photo: Brent Singleton · Pexels

Traveller notes on Scottsdale in January

Notes from nearby Phoenix (18 km away)

Scottsdale doesn't have its own notes for January yet — these are about Phoenix, close enough to share the season.

Phoenix forum threads consistently rate January as one of the best months in the country weather-wise, with typical highs in the mid-60s Fahrenheit and lows in the low-40s, though posters noted a warm stretch pushing into the 70s or even near-record 80s isn't unheard of. Despite technically being part of the winter rainy season, actual rain was described as rare - usually under an inch total for the whole month, maybe 3-4 days with any measurable rain at all. The consistent advice was a light layer for cool mornings that peels off as temperatures climb fast through the day, with posters citing hiking conditions as close to ideal and a full calendar of January events including the Fiesta Bowl and various car shows.
CamelbackRegular · January · 1 month ago · about Phoenix · Read more on Tripadvisor ↗

Other months in Scottsdale

Scottsdale-forum threads on November weather show a real split across the month: early November can still run into the 80s Fahrenheit some years, while by Thanksgiving week it's settled to around 70F by day and the 40s at night. By mid-month, posters say it's not really warm enough for serious pool time, though heated hotel pools take the edge off for anyone who still wants a swim. A sweater for morning and evening is the standing advice, and the city stays casual enough that jeans and a nice top cover dinner anywhere. Overall it's called a genuinely great month for outdoor time. The record: 25.1C days feeling like 23C, 11.4C nights, 16mm across 1.7 days, humidity a dry 38 percent and 9.2 hours of sun - warm days, a real chill once the sun's down.
OldTownNovemberRegular · November · 1 month ago · Read more on Tripadvisor ↗
Scottsdale's forum is consistent that early September still runs genuinely hot and can carry lingering monsoon humidity - daytime highs commonly in the upper 90s to around 100F+, overnight lows only dropping into the 70s. Monsoon season technically wraps up by July/August most years but occasionally drags into early September, bringing a chance of dust storms or lightning. Forum regulars said the back half of the month cools off noticeably and becomes genuinely pleasant, with pool time recommended for anyone visiting the earlier, hotter stretch.
SonoranValleyRegular · September · 1 month ago · Read more on Tripadvisor ↗
Forum posters describe August afternoons in Scottsdale as regularly hitting 105-110F (roughly 41-43C), with early mornings still comfortable in the mid-to-high 70sF (around 24-26C) until about 9:30-10am. Posters consistently recommend scheduling any hiking or biking for sunrise or the very last light of the evening, spending midday by the pool in shade, since sitting poolside without cover in the early afternoon isn't advisable at these temperatures. Posters describe August's monsoon season as bringing storms that are typically neither all-day nor every-day events, but can be genuinely intense, including microbursts, when they do arrive. Posters do flag a real upside: nearly all major resorts run staycation-level deals in August as the off-season discount kicks in. Posters generally rate August as extremely hot but manageable with a schedule built around the coolest hours, and notably better value than in-season Scottsdale.
Tripadvisor community · August · 1 month ago · Read more on Tripadvisor ↗
March in Scottsdale means spring training, and the forum's practical points are mostly about that: it is the busiest stretch of the year in the Phoenix area, hotel rates rise accordingly, and booking early matters. On weather, regulars put March roughly level with November — highs around 24°C, nights near 9 — and warn that mornings and evenings are genuinely cold: socks, a sweater, long trousers and often a jacket, though not a heavy coat. Rain is rare, under four days. If the baseball is the point, Scottsdale Stadium sits in Old Town with a trolley loop serving it.
Tripadvisor community · March · 1 month ago · Read more on Tripadvisor ↗

Add your own note from Scottsdale's card on the map.

Scottsdale climate normals — January

Daytime high19°C / 66°F😎 nice
Nighttime low6°C / 43°F
Feels like (high)16°C / 61°F
Rainfall21 mm / 0.8 in☀️ dry
Rainy days3 days
Humidity54%🍃 comfortable
Dew point0°C / 31°F
Sunshine8.5 h/day
Daylight10.2 h
Wind12 km/h / 8 mph
Air quality (US AQI)59🙂 moderate

Monthly averages from ERA5 reanalysis. AQI is the mean US Air Quality Index for the month.

Crowds in Scottsdale in January

How busy the place itself is — school and mass holidays, the months an editor tagged, and how sought-after the weather makes them. Never part of the comfort score.

Peak crowdsBarrett-Jackson auction, Christmas and New Year, Winter / Christmas break in United States(estimated)

JFMAMJJASOND

Peak crowdsBusyShoulder seasonQuiet

Best months for Scottsdale's weather

Ranked by this destination's own climate comfort score across the year — a different thing from how busy it gets (see Crowds above).

Fair weatherScottsdale's best weather comes in March, April and November — separate windows, not one continuous season.

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Best weatherFair weatherToughest weather

What's on in Scottsdale in January

Recurring seasonal events, natural spectacles, closures and holidays — curated and sourced.

  • Festival

    Barrett-Jackson auction

    18 Jan – 2 Feb · usuallyMajor festivalCrowdedBook early

    A week of collector cars crossing the block at WestWorld in north Scottsdale, drawing three hundred thousand people and every hotel rate in the valley up with it. It runs straight into the golf week that follows. Source ↗

  • Holiday

    Christmas and New Year

    24 Dec – 1 JanChristmas & New YearClosuresCrowded

    Christmas Day and New Year's Day are federal holidays: on 25 December most shops, museums and many restaurants close, and airports stay busy through the week between as families travel. New Year's Eve fills bars and restaurants, many at set-menu prices. Source ↗

What's on around the world in January →

Nearby, and something's on

Within 300 km of Scottsdale — a day trip or a short hop — with something on this month. Never part of the comfort score.

Where is Scottsdale?

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Scottsdale in January — FAQ

Is January a good time to visit Scottsdale?
January in Scottsdale: nice, dry — a great time to visit. It ranks #7 of 12 months for Scottsdale on SeasonMap's comfort score (75/100).
What is the weather like in Scottsdale in January?
In January, Scottsdale averages a daily high of 19.1°C and a low of 6.2°C, with about 20.5 mm of rain over roughly 3.1 rainy days.
What is the air quality in Scottsdale in January?
Scottsdale has a mean US Air Quality Index of about 59 in January.

Within 300 km: Phoenix's Desert hiking season around 15 Oct – 15 Apr, and Sedona's Trailhead shuttle only on 1 Jan – 31 Dec.