Prescott weather
Summer (June through August)
Daytime highs run 82 to 88 degrees. Nights drop to the upper 50s. Monsoon season starts around the first week of July: clear mornings, building clouds by noon, sharp thunderstorms most afternoons through August. Lightning is common and not theoretical: get off exposed granite before storms hit.
Fall (September and October)
The headline season. Highs in the 70s, lows in the 40s, sky stays clear, monsoons fade. Aspens and oaks color up at higher elevations starting late September. October weekends are the busiest of the year for tourism.
Winter (November through February)
Highs in the 50s, lows in the 20s and low 30s. Snow falls a handful of times each winter, usually two to six inches that melts within 48 hours. Roads stay open. Heaters run mornings and evenings.
Spring (March through May)
Sunny days in the 60s warming to 70s by May. Wind kicks up in March and April, often 15 to 25 mph from the southwest. Wildflowers peak late April through mid-May along Senator Highway and the Bradshaw foothills.
Why elevation matters
At 5,367 feet, Prescott runs 15 to 20 degrees cooler than Phoenix on summer afternoons. That gap is the entire reason summer Phoenix residents drive up. UV exposure is higher: sunscreen at altitude, even on cool days.
Frequently asked
How hot does Prescott get in summer?+
Mid-80s most afternoons. Hits 90 a handful of times per summer.
Does it snow in Prescott?+
Yes. A few light snowfalls each winter, usually two to six inches that melts within a day or two.
When is monsoon season?+
Roughly July 1 through mid-September. Most thunderstorms hit between 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.
What is the rainiest month?+
August on average, driven by monsoon.
When is fall color in Prescott?+
Late September into mid-October at higher elevations. Downtown trees peak late October.
Is Prescott windy?+
Spring, especially March and April, runs windy. Summer and fall are calmer.
How much cooler than Phoenix?+
About 15 to 20 degrees on a typical summer day.
Related guides
