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Phoenix vs Seattle weather: climate comparison
Phoenix is the warmer of the two, averaging 73°F (23°C) over the year against 52°F (11°C) in Seattle. Seattle is wetter, with 50.2 in (1275 mm) of precipitation a year to Phoenix's 9.6 in (243 mm). Below: every month side by side, from 30 years of ERA5 data (1996–2025).
- Mean temperature
- 23.0°C Phoenix
10.9°C Seattle - Annual precipitation
- 243.4 mm Phoenix
1274.6 mm Seattle - Rainy days a year
- 30 Phoenix
154 Seattle - Sunshine per day
- 11.1 h Phoenix
8.3 h Seattle
Month by month
| Month | Phoenix | Seattle |
|---|---|---|
| January | 18.9°C | 7.3°C |
| February | 20.8°C | 8.4°C |
| March | 25.0°C | 10.6°C |
| April | 29.5°C | 13.4°C |
| May | 34.6°C | 16.9°C |
| June | 40.1°C | 20.0°C |
| July | 40.9°C | 24.0°C |
| August | 40.0°C | 24.2°C |
| September | 37.2°C | 20.4°C |
| October | 31.1°C | 14.6°C |
| November | 24.3°C | 9.8°C |
| December | 18.4°C | 6.9°C |
Year at a glance
| Measure | Phoenix | Seattle |
|---|---|---|
| Mean annual temperature | 23.0°C | 10.9°C |
| Warmest month (avg high) | Jul · 41°C | Aug · 24°C |
| Coldest month (avg low) | Jan · 5°C | Feb · 2°C |
| Annual range (warmest high − coldest low) | 36°C | 22°C |
| Annual precipitation | 243.4 mm | 1274.6 mm |
| Rainy days per year | 30 | 154 |
| Wettest / driest month | Feb / Jun | Nov / Jul |
| Average sunshine per day | 11.1 h | 8.3 h |
In short: Phoenix is the warmest overall (23.0°C mean); Seattle gets the most precipitation (1274.6 mm a year); Phoenix is the sunniest (11.1 h a day on average); Seattle has the smallest swing between its warmest and coldest months.
Record high 1996–2025: Phoenix 47.7°C (2016-06-19), Seattle 37.9°C (2021-06-28). Record low: Phoenix -3.5°C (2007-01-14), Seattle -14.5°C (1996-01-30).
Source: Open-Meteo Historical Weather API (CC BY 4.0). Values are ERA5 reanalysis model data on a ~9–25 km grid, not readings from a weather station, so a single town’s thermometer can differ by a few degrees and local showers can be missed. Monthly means of daily ERA5 values, 1996–2025, for the grid cells nearest Phoenix (33.43, -112.03) and Seattle (47.63, -122.32).
Which months differ most?
The gap in average highs is widest in June, when Phoenix runs 36°F / 20°C warmer, and narrowest in December (21°F / 11°C apart). The biggest rainfall difference is in November: Seattle gets 6.9 in (174 mm) more on average.
Add a third or fourth city, or swap in any other place, in the full comparison tool. For one city in depth, see the Phoenix climate and Seattle climate pages.
Compare Phoenix or Seattle with another city
Questions people ask
Is Phoenix warmer than Seattle?
Phoenix is warmer on average: its mean annual temperature is 73°F (23°C) against 52°F (11°C) in Seattle (ERA5, 1996–2025).
Which gets more rain, Phoenix or Seattle?
Seattle, with about 50.2 in (1275 mm) of precipitation a year and 154 days with at least 1 mm, compared with 9.6 in (243 mm) and 30 days in Phoenix.
Which is sunnier, Phoenix or Seattle?
Phoenix averages more sunshine: 11.1 h a day against 8.3 h. Sunshine duration is modelled from cloud cover.
How reliable is this comparison?
Both cities use the same 30-year reanalysis, so differences are consistent. Absolute values describe a grid cell several kilometres wide and can differ by a degree or two from the airport station.