People see Arizona and pack for desert heat. Flagstaff sits at about 2,100 m in the pines, so lows drop to freezing or below for half the year and even July nights fall to 61°F (16°C), which makes layers more important than shorts.
Flagstaff weather by month
Daily high and low (°F), and days with rainSee the numbers
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High | 37°F3°C | 43°F6°C | 45°F7°C | 57°F14°C | 68°F20°C | 79°F26°C | 86°F30°C | 82°F28°C | 75°F24°C | 66°F19°C | 52°F11°C | 48°F9°C |
| Low | 21°F-6°C | 23°F-5°C | 27°F-3°C | 32°F0°C | 43°F6°C | 54°F12°C | 61°F16°C | 57°F14°C | 52°F11°C | 43°F6°C | 32°F0°C | 30°F-1°C |
| Rain days | 7 | 5 | 11 | 4 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 12 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 2 |
Season by season
Winter
December–FebruaryReal winter. Highs of 37°F (3°C) to 48°F (9°C) and lows down to 21°F (-6°C) in January, and snow is common. Arizona Snowbowl is open for skiing, and the drive to the Grand Canyon's South Rim can be icy. Pack a warm coat, gloves, a hat and waterproof boots.
Spring
March–MayCold to mild, with highs from 45°F (7°C) in March to 68°F (20°C) in May and lows from 27°F (-3°C) to 43°F (6°C). March is the wettest month of the season with 11 wet days, much of it snow. Pack for winter in March and for cool hiking weather by May.
Summer
June–AugustWarm, dry days around 79°F (26°C) to 86°F (30°C) and cool nights of 54°F (12°C) to 61°F (16°C). July and August bring the monsoon, with sudden afternoon thunderstorms and 12 rain days in August. Start hikes on Humphreys Peak early and be off exposed ridges by early afternoon. Always pack a rain shell and a fleece.
Fall
September–NovemberCrisp and mostly dry, with highs from 75°F (24°C) in September down to 52°F (11°C) in November and only 4 to 6 rain days a month. The aspens on the Inner Basin Trail turn gold in late September and early October. Nights reach 32°F (0°C) by November, so bring a warm layer.
What to bring to Flagstaff
0 of 23 packedMonsoon storms build fast over the San Francisco Peaks in July and August, and this shell packs into its own pocket, so there's no excuse to leave it in the car.
Summer afternoons go from sun to thunderstorm in an hour, and this shell packs into its own pocket or a small stuff sack, so it always fits in your daypack.
- Nalgene 32 oz Wide Mouth BottleWater Bottles & Hydration
The air is thin and dry up here, and a 32 oz bottle with mL/oz markings makes it easy to track how much you've actually drunk on the trail.
- Peak Design Everyday Backpack Zip 20LBags & Luggage
Weather sealing on the main compartment and zippers helps keep your fleece and camera dry when a storm catches you on the trail.
Long climbs on Humphreys Peak and the Grand Canyon rim are hard on your calves, and these men's socks give 20-30 mmHg of targeted compression.
- A warm wrapClothing
Nights drop hard here, and a wool or cashmere wrap folds into a corner of your bag for a cold evening outside.
- Epicka 70W Universal Travel AdapterTech & Power
Flying in from abroad, it has a US plug and charges your phone, camera and laptop off one outlet.
Clothing
- Insulated jacket · 1Lows at or below freezing much of the year
- Fleece mid-layer · 1Even July nights fall to 16°C
- Base layers · 2 setsNov–Mar cold
- Warm hat and gloves · 1 setNov–Mar
- Breathable hiking shirts · 3
- Hiking pants · 2
Footwear
- Waterproof hiking boots · 1 pairSnow in winter, trails in summer
- Wool socks · 4 pairs
Gear
- Sun hat and sunglassesStrong sun at about 2,100 m
- Headlamp · 1
Health and toiletries
- High-SPF sunscreen · 1Sun is stronger at altitude
- Lip balm and moisturizerDry mountain air
- Electrolyte tabletsAltitude dehydrates
Documents and money
- Driver's license and ID
- National park pass or reservations if needed
Tech
- Phone with offline mapsSpotty signal on trails
What shoes should you pack for Flagstaff?
Trail shoes or light hiking boots with grip, for the cinder and rocky paths around Flagstaff and on the Grand Canyon rim. In winter you want something waterproof and warm for snow. Regular sneakers are fine for downtown and Route 66.
What do people wear in Flagstaff?
Outdoorsy and casual. Fleece, flannel, jeans and hiking gear work everywhere downtown. Dress in layers, since the gap between a cold morning and a warm afternoon is often 50°F (10°C) to 57°F (14°C). The sun is strong at this altitude, so a hat and sunglasses help even in winter.
What plugs does Flagstaff use?
The US uses type A and B plugs at 120V. Visitors from the UK, Europe and Australia need an adapter, and anything that isn't dual voltage needs a converter too. Most phone and laptop chargers are fine at 120V.
Tours and things to do in Flagstaff
Packed and ready? Browse guided tours, day trips and tickets for Flagstaff.
What should you leave at home for Flagstaff?
Leave the desert-only wardrobe. Shorts and tank tops won't cut it after dark, even in July. Skip dress clothes, nobody wears them here. An umbrella is little use in a monsoon storm with lightning, and a shell plus getting off the trail early beats it.
Around Flagstaff
Packing for Flagstaff: questions people ask
Is Flagstaff cold?
Colder than most people expect for Arizona. Lows are below freezing from December to March, and January averages 21°F (-6°C) at night.
What should I wear in Flagstaff in summer?
Light layers for warm days around 86°F (30°C), plus a fleece for 61°F (16°C) nights and a rain shell for monsoon storms.
Does it snow in Flagstaff?
Yes, regularly in winter. Arizona Snowbowl runs a ski season, and roads toward the Grand Canyon can get icy.
What should I pack for the Grand Canyon from Flagstaff?
Layers, a refillable water bottle, sun protection and shoes with grip. The South Rim is roughly an hour and a half's drive away.
Will I feel the altitude in Flagstaff?
Some people do at about 2,100 m, mostly as tiredness or a headache. Drink plenty of water and take the first day easy.
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