This has been the hottest winter ever in Phoenix.
Meteorologists define the winter season as December through February. Typically, since the 1990s, Phoenix’s average winter temperature has been just below 58 degrees, according to National Weather Service data. This December through February, Phoenix’s average temperature has been nearly 64 degrees.
December 2025 was Phoenix’s hottest December on record, January 2026 was the fourth-hottest January on record, and February has been the hottest February on record.
But it wasn’t just Phoenix that missed out on chilly weather for the past few months.
“Everybody basically from the Rockies to the West Coast is dealing with one of the — if not the absolute hottest — winter of record,” said meteorologist Shel Winkley with the climate research organization Climate Central.
La Niña climate patterns bring warmer, drier winters to the Southwest every few years. But Winkley said human-caused climate change exacerbated this year’s La Niña conditions and pushed a high pressure system farther inland from the Pacific than usual.
“That’s allowed for cold weather to dump down into the Eastern U.S., while the West is seeing historically warm temperatures and historically dry conditions especially when it comes to the Western snowpack,” Winkley said.
Winkley said extremely low snowpack could threaten the water supply across the West and increase wildfire risk headed into spring.
Phoenix is expected to see more record-breaking heat this weekend. The National Weather Service forecasts highs will be in the 90s Thursday through Sunday. Phoenix usually does not hit 90 degrees until around March 30.
National Weather Service meteorologist Ryan Worley doesn’t think Phoenix has very good chances of seeing any more wintry conditions headed into next month.
“Certainly through the start of March we’re going to have a tough time seeing any noticeable cooldown or any wet weather,” Worley said.
-
Monsoon season is almost here and models show a powerful El Niño could bring some much-needed moisture to the Southwest. But Arizona may still have a few months to wait before that rain arrives. -
The tool will categorize dust storms based on dust concentration, but will also measure wind speed and area covered. -
If you’ve spotted yellowing melon plants in Yuma recently, that may be the result of a recent virus outbreak. The early warm weather is providing suitable conditions for pest problems. -
After the Dragon Bravo Fire burned the Grand Canyon's North Rim, there's an increased risk of dangerous flooding and mudslides. -
The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration is forecasting above-normal rainfall for this year’s monsoon, which typically runs from June 15 through Sept. 30.
