Is Arizona Hotter Than Florida?

Quite a few people comment on the heat of Arizona but are not sure whether the state is hotter than Florida. This is an important topic to consider especially if you are looking to relocate or retire to either state. In this article, we take a look at the 2 states and how their climates differ. You may be surprised how the climate zones in Arizona compare to the climate zones in Florida. This information will help you decide which destination offers the right fit for your needs!

It’s no secret that Arizona and Florida are both warm places to live.

The average Orlando, Florida temperature in the summer is about 92 degrees Fahrenheit (33 degrees Celsius). The average temperature in the winter is about 49 degrees Fahrenheit (9 degrees Celsius).

Phoenix, Arizona averages about 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius) in the summer. The average temperature in the winter is about 43 degrees Fahrenheit (6 degrees Celsius). So…

YES, Arizona is Hotter Than Florida.

But this tells only part of the story as you’ll soon see!

There are in fact many “Arizonas” within AZ that have their own distinct weather and climate patterns. Let’s learn about them:

Arizona Climate Zones

Arizona has different climate zones, depending on where you are in the state. The low elevations have a desert climate with very hot summers and mild winters. Most of the state averages less than 10 inches of rainfall per year.

The high elevations have a mountain climate with cool summers and cold winters. In fact, cities and towns in the northern part of the state like Flagstaff get upwards of 75 inches on snow per year, making them popular destinations for skiers, snowboarders and anyone who loves the white stuff!

Arizona is indeed a land of extremes. The state’s deserts are home to some of the hottest temperatures recorded on Earth, and its mountains are among the snowiest in the country. The state has a relatively short growing season, and its average high temperatures can vary widely from month to month. Florida’s climate is more moderate, with a longer growing season and less extreme temperatures throughout the year.

Arizona has two rainy seasons: one in winter (December through March) and one in summer (July through September). The winter rains are due to warm air moving northward from Mexico while spring rains come from Pacific storms that cross southern California then move north over Arizona. Summer rains occur when tropical storms make landfall on the Gulf Coast of Mexico or near Baja California, then move eastward into Arizona.

Since rain and snowfall are rare in most of Arizona, most people do not need winter clothing or heavy coats when they go outside during cold weather months because their body heat will protect them from the cold air temperatures. However, if you live in an area such as Flagstaff or Sedona where snowfall can occur at any time during the year, then you may need to wear warm clothing even when going outside during warm months. This is something to consider if you are packing for an upcoming AZ trip.

In all, Arizona’s climate is characterized by long, hot summers with little rain; mild winters with occasional rainstorms; and wide temperature swings between day and night. Now let’s take a closer look at the “sunshine state” of Florida.

Florida’s Climate Zones

Florida has several different climate zones: Tropical and Subtropical. South Florida is part of the Tropical Zone and has climate with warm temperatures year-round and lots of rain.

Tampa has a subtropical climate with 2 distinct seasons. From May through October the Tampa region is hot and humid but hot temperatures transition into a milder, dry season from November to April. In general, Subtropical climates have mild winters but warm summers. This may be just what you are looking for if you desire a perfect balance. Even better, if you are on a budget, check out the Best Places to Retire in Florida on Social Security.

Florida’s climate varies depending on the region because it contains both oceanic and continental zones. In general terms though most of Florida lies within the subtropical highland climate zone which has hot summers and “warmer” winters with abundant rainfall throughout the year resulting from its proximity to tropical weather systems crossing over Cuba or Hispaniola.

Conclusion:

In this hot weather showdown, we compared average temperature and precipitation records to see whether Florida or Arizona had the hotter climate. We found that Arizona had the slight upper hand in temperature thanks to cities like Phoenix and their July 106 °F scorchers, while Florida edges out AZ when it came to total precipitation. While neither state is the absolute hottest state in the country, both are warmer than most states in the northern portion of the country and cooler than most states in the southern half of the country.

It may be surprising that Arizona, a state in the American southwest located a bit further north than Florida, is actually significantly warmer than Florida. If you’re moving from somewhere other than Arizona or Florida, your perceived climate will depend a lot on where you’re moving from. If you’re moving to Phoenix, or even Tucson, you’re probably going to think that the winters there are colder and the summers hotter than they really are. If you’re moving overall country away, it’s likely that any perceived differences between the two won’t be noticeable at all.

Of course, the best way to find out if the climate Arizona or Florida is right for you and/or your family is to visit each state (preferably in the summer and winter) and experience it firsthand. Best of luck!