Phoenix is a place that basically treats triple digits like a personality trait. But honestly, when the calendar says January and you're reaching for the sunscreen instead of a sweater, things feel a little weird. Today, January 15, 2026, the Valley of the Sun pushed the limits of "winter" weather again.
It's 78°F.
That’s the high temperature recorded at Sky Harbor today. While it didn't quite shatter the all-time daily record of 81°F set back in 2000, it came close enough to make everyone at the local parks look twice at their phones. We're talking about a day that is a full 10 degrees warmer than the "normal" high of 68°F.
The Record High Temperature in Phoenix Today and Why It Matters
If you've lived in Arizona long enough, you know the drill. You wear a jacket at 7:00 AM and you’re sweating in a t-shirt by noon. But a high of 78°F in mid-January isn't just "nice weather" for tourists. It’s part of a much larger, kinda concerning trend we’ve been seeing over the last few years.
Last year, 2025, ended up being the second hottest year on record for Arizona. We had 122 days where the mercury jumped over 100 degrees. That’s not normal. Usually, we expect about 111 of those days. When you start stacking these "slightly warmer" winter days on top of a brutal summer, the desert doesn't really get a chance to recover.
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The National Weather Service (NWS) Phoenix office has been tracking these shifts closely. Today’s temperature follows a December that was the hottest ever recorded in the city—more than seven degrees above the usual average.
Breaking Down the Numbers
To understand if the record high temperature in phoenix today is actually a big deal, you have to look at the history.
- Today's High: 78°F
- Historical Record for Jan 15: 81°F (Set in 2000)
- Climate Normal: 68°F
- Morning Low: 53°F
Check out the difference there. We are hovering 10 degrees above the 1991-2020 climate normals. According to recent data from the World Meteorological Organization, 2025 was the third hottest year globally, and 2026 is already showing signs of keeping that momentum.
Is the "Winter" Disappearing?
Basically, yeah. Or at least it’s getting shorter.
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Meteorologists use a tool called "HeatRisk" to figure out how these temperatures affect people. Usually, in January, the risk is zero. But when we start hitting the high 70s and low 80s in the middle of winter, it changes how the local ecosystem works. Plants start blooming too early. Mountain snowpack—which we desperately need for water—melts before it's supposed to.
It's not just the daytime highs, either. The nights are staying warmer too. If the low doesn't drop enough, the concrete in downtown Phoenix just holds onto that heat, creating what scientists call an "urban heat island."
A study out of the University of Arizona recently noted that these climate shifts have actually started impacting the economy. When it’s too hot to work outside or when energy bills for cooling stay high even in January, it adds up. They estimated a 12% reduction in income across parts of the U.S. due to these shifting climate patterns.
What to Do When the Heat Picks Up
Even though 78°F feels like a dream compared to July's 115°F, you still have to be smart. The air is incredibly dry right now—humidity was hovering around 25% today.
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- Hydrate early. Don't wait until you're thirsty. In the desert, if you're thirsty, you're already behind.
- Watch the UV. Even in winter, the sun here is intense. Today's UV index hit a 2, which is low, but enough to burn fair skin during a long lunch hike.
- Check your plants. If they think it's spring and start budding, a random "real" winter frost later this month could kill them.
Looking ahead, the NWS predicts that we’ll stay 8 to 12 degrees above normal through early next week. We might even see some 80-degree days before a potential cold front tries to move in.
The record high temperature in phoenix today is a reminder that the "cool season" is becoming a bit of a moving target. While it’s great for patio dining and golf, it’s a clear signal that the desert is changing faster than the record books can keep up with.
Next Steps for Staying Cool:
Keep an eye on the NWS Phoenix Heat Page for real-time updates on HeatRisk levels. If you're planning a hike at Camelback or Piestewa Peak, aim for the early morning hours while the temp is still in the 50s.