The great Southwestern state of Arizona is notorious for many reasons, but mostly for its hot climate with record high temperatures. The sixth largest state geographically, Arizona is home to vast deserts, forests, mountain ranges and canyons. It is often symbolized by a cactus, celebrated for its painted desert skies and most notably, the Grand Canyon. This national park is one of Arizona’s most spectacular landforms and the state’s most sought-after tourist attraction. Some view Arizona as a wild west region with its old-fashioned ruggedness, but that’s merely a misconception. In reality, it is a sunny paradise booming with strong economic performance in high-tech and innovative industries, and endless opportunities for fun year-round!

In addition, Arizona is more than elevated temperatures, ragweed, and cacti. The capital, Phoenix, is now the fifth largest city in the U.S. even Forbes described it as “a business-friendly environment, with plentiful job opportunities and affordable cost of living.” These factors and more have elevated Phoenix to the forefront of the fastest-growing cities in the country. If you are looking for an oasis with sunny days and dreamy sunsets, Arizona is the place to be. 

SPRING

March through June in Arizona is like a tease of what the following couple of months will feel like. Most days are warm and breezy, while other days during the spring can feel like Summer has arrived early. Like most places, this season brings out the vibrancy in nature, with colorful blossoms perfuming the air and a large variety of ripened fruits and vegetation in full harvest. The warm weather widens the possibilities for outdoor activities like biking, picnicking, and of course American baseball. That’s right, for decades Arizona has hosted spring training, making it a tremendous attraction for travelers and natives. Moreover, if you’re not outside during spring, you’re missing a fun time to embrace the weather because it only gets hotter from there!  

SUMMER 

News to no one, summer days in Arizona can feel like you’re standing in an oven. The dry heat is no joke, but Arizonians pride themselves on the ability to not only withstand the excessive sunshine but thrive in it! Most prefer it over the drastic humidity dealt with in other states. With soaring temperatures, the best relief often involves soaking up in cool waters. Though it is known for its waterless landscape, Arizona is home to many man-made bodies of water that welcome guests to various recreational fun, like jet skiing, kayaking, wakeboarding, tubing, fishing, boating, and of course swimming! 

Furthermore, the searing heat in the southern desert can be physically taxing and an obvious cause for a parched throat. In addition to water, the only other viable solution for both problems is a sweet and tasty treat embraced year-round in Arizona- ice cream! It is never an issue to find and always the right time to devour ice cream here, hence the endless list of ice cream shops and franchises spread all over the state.  

FALL 

Autumn/Fall in Arizona is when the temperatures begin to drop moderately. The season brings with it rich reds and yellows to the high-desert creeks in Northern Arizona, like Sedona and Cottonwood. Fall is a favorable time for natives and visitors alike. There are few rainstorms, clearer skies, and refreshing weather conditions overall. The days encourage outdoor activities like a visit to the pumpkin patch, a hike, or an off-roading trip to the sand dunes near Yuma. At night, the warm air and cool breeze are the perfect mixture to lay out and star gaze. Furthermore, there is also an influx of festivals, concerts, and fairs during this time. Some popular fall events include the Arizona State Fair, Oktoberfest, and the Salt River Fields Balloon Festival. 

WINTER

When most states are experiencing blizzards and freezing temperatures, Arizona maintains mildly wintry weather, even the snowy areas are not as extreme. In fact, winter in Phoenix is the most ideal weather with highs in the 70s, lows in the 40s, and sunny skies. A warm jacket will usually suffice for a typical winter day in the desert. Outdoor activities such as hiking, playing sports, or having a bonfire are great ways to embrace the chilly air in southern Arizona during this time. Moreover, northern Arizona in the winter looks like the perfect holiday card. Red rock mountains and ponderosa pine trees blanketed with powdery white snow, and picturesque hills suited for snow fun! 

Have you visited, plan to visit, or want to move here? The Grand Canyon state is highly underrated, and most natives can assure you that it is more than a desert filled, “small-town” state movie scenes sometimes portray it as. Arizona is a southwestern gem that boasts stunning sunsets, bright days, and warm weather even in the winter! The desert landscape is the backdrop for a sprawling multicity Valley booming with business and opportunity.