WeatherArchive / Compare cities / Phoenix vs Washington, D.C.
Phoenix vs Washington, D.C. weather: climate comparison
Phoenix is the warmer of the two, averaging 73°F (23°C) over the year against 57°F (14°C) in Washington, D.C.. Washington, D.C. is wetter, with 45.5 in (1157 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
14.0°C Washington, D.C. - Annual precipitation
- 243.4 mm Phoenix
1156.6 mm Washington, D.C. - Rainy days a year
- 30 Phoenix
120 Washington, D.C. - Sunshine per day
- 11.1 h Phoenix
8.9 h Washington, D.C.
Month by month
| Month | Phoenix | Washington, D.C. |
|---|---|---|
| January | 18.9°C | 5.9°C |
| February | 20.8°C | 8.1°C |
| March | 25.0°C | 12.8°C |
| April | 29.5°C | 18.8°C |
| May | 34.6°C | 23.5°C |
| June | 40.1°C | 28.6°C |
| July | 40.9°C | 30.9°C |
| August | 40.0°C | 29.6°C |
| September | 37.2°C | 25.9°C |
| October | 31.1°C | 19.7°C |
| November | 24.3°C | 13.4°C |
| December | 18.4°C | 8.2°C |
Year at a glance
| Measure | Phoenix | Washington, D.C. |
|---|---|---|
| Mean annual temperature | 23.0°C | 14.0°C |
| Warmest month (avg high) | Jul · 41°C | Jul · 31°C |
| Coldest month (avg low) | Jan · 5°C | Jan · -2°C |
| Annual range (warmest high − coldest low) | 36°C | 33°C |
| Annual precipitation | 243.4 mm | 1156.6 mm |
| Rainy days per year | 30 | 120 |
| Wettest / driest month | Feb / Jun | Jul / Nov |
| Average sunshine per day | 11.1 h | 8.9 h |
In short: Phoenix is the warmest overall (23.0°C mean); Washington, D.C. gets the most precipitation (1156.6 mm a year); Phoenix is the sunniest (11.1 h a day on average); Washington, D.C. has the smallest swing between its warmest and coldest months.
Record high 1996–2025: Phoenix 47.7°C (2016-06-19), Washington, D.C. 41.1°C (2012-07-07). Record low: Phoenix -3.5°C (2007-01-14), Washington, D.C. -23.3°C (1996-02-05).
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 Washington, D.C. (38.91, -77.07).
Which months differ most?
The gap in average highs is widest in January, when Phoenix runs 23°F / 13°C warmer, and narrowest in July (18°F / 10°C apart). The biggest rainfall difference is in May: Washington, D.C. gets 4.2 in (107 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 Washington, D.C. climate pages.
Compare Phoenix or Washington, D.C. with another city
Questions people ask
Is Phoenix warmer than Washington, D.C.?
Phoenix is warmer on average: its mean annual temperature is 73°F (23°C) against 57°F (14°C) in Washington, D.C. (ERA5, 1996–2025).
Which gets more rain, Phoenix or Washington, D.C.?
Washington, D.C., with about 45.5 in (1157 mm) of precipitation a year and 120 days with at least 1 mm, compared with 9.6 in (243 mm) and 30 days in Phoenix.
Which is sunnier, Phoenix or Washington, D.C.?
Phoenix averages more sunshine: 11.1 h a day against 8.9 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.