Honestly, if you're standing outside in the Valley of the Sun right now, you’ve probably noticed something weird. It’s mid-January. Usually, this is when we’re diggin' through the back of the closet for that one heavy hoodie we own. But look at the thermometer. The current Phoenix Arizona temperature is 62°F as of Wednesday night, January 14, 2026.
That’s night weather. Earlier today? We hit a high of 77°F.
Basically, the "winter" we were promised has decided to take a vacation. If you feel like it’s unusually warm, you aren’t imagining it. We are currently sitting about 10 degrees above the seasonal normal. Usually, a Phoenix afternoon in mid-January struggles to get past 67°F. Instead, we’re out here in t-shirts wondering if the pool is still too cold to jump into (it probably is, but barely).
Why the current Phoenix Arizona temperature feels like spring
The National Weather Service out of Sky Harbor has been tracking this "anti-cyclonic" high-pressure ridge sitting over the West. It’s like a giant invisible lid. It keeps the cold air trapped up in the Great Lakes and lets us soak in dry, easterly winds.
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You’ve gotta look at the humidity too. It’s hovering around 32% right now. That is bone-dry, even for us. When the air is this thin and dry, the heat just sticks around longer during the day, then vanishes the second the sun drops behind the White Tank Mountains.
The numbers you actually care about
Right now, the wind is barely a whisper—just about 6 mph coming from the east. It’s clear. No clouds. No rain in the forecast. In fact, the chance of rain for the rest of the week is essentially 0%.
Here is the breakdown for the next couple of days:
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- Thursday, Jan 15: We're looking at a high of 78°F. A few clouds might show up, but don't hold your breath for a breeze.
- Friday, Jan 16: Another 78°F day. Pure sun.
- The Weekend: It dips slightly to 75°F, which is still gorgeous but technically "cooling down" by our skewed standards.
Is Phoenix losing its winter for good?
There’s a lot of talk lately about the "Urban Heat Island" effect. Basically, all the concrete and asphalt we’ve laid down in the East Valley and West Valley acts like a giant battery. It soaks up the sun all day and then bleeds that heat back out at night.
That’s why the low tonight is 46°F. Back in the 60s, we used to hit the 20s or 30s pretty regularly in January. Now? We haven't had a real freeze at Sky Harbor in years. It’s great for your citrus trees, but kinda spooky if you’re a fan of actual seasons. Experts like Chris Dunn have pointed out that the "floor" for our night temperatures has moved up by about 10 degrees over the last few decades.
If you’re a gardener, this is the part where you need to pay attention. Since we aren't getting those "chill hours," some of your fruit trees might get confused and start budding too early.
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What to do with this weather
Since the current Phoenix Arizona temperature is so mild, it's peak hiking season. This is the one month of the year where you won't see a "Rescue Helicopter" every five minutes on Camelback Mountain because someone forgot their water.
- Hydrate anyway. It’s 32% humidity. You’re losing water just by breathing, even if you aren't sweating through your shirt.
- Dress in layers. It’s 77°F at 3 PM and 46°F at 3 AM. If you go out for dinner, bring a jacket for the walk back to the car.
- Check your irrigation. With zero rain and high-70s heat, your desert plants might actually need a supplemental drink even though it's "winter."
The ridge of high pressure isn't going anywhere until at least next Monday or Tuesday. We might see a tiny dip into the low 70s by then, but for now, just enjoy the fact that you aren't shoveling snow in Minneapolis.
Actionable Insights for the Week:
- Plan outdoor activities between 11:00 AM and 4:00 PM for peak warmth.
- Keep an eye on young plants; the high UV index (around 3) can still bite if they aren't established.
- Monitor your electricity bill; with temperatures this high, some older AC units might actually kick on during the mid-afternoon.