Sedona local weather

The high desert elevation of Sedona, at 4500 feet, tempers the expected hot Arizona environment to an amazingly consistent and moderate climate. The Grand Canyon is a little over an hour away by car, making Sedona an ideal accommodation location for taking in America's favorite National Park.

Renown for it's fresh, clean air, the area boasts a temperate climate which makes Sedona a year-round vacation destination. Amazing vistas, canyons and gorges draw hikers, fishermen and those of a spiritual nature. Like the Sinagua of old, people are drawn to Sedona for many reasons, one of them is the marvelous weather.

Winter

Winter lows may hit the freezing point, but on most days, temperatures normally rise into the 50s. Rain and any snow is minimal in Sedona. The area acquires moisture on a monthly basis so the valley is not as arid as a true desert. The January average high of 55 compares favorably to June’s average low of 57 in expressing the consistency of the weather.

The Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim, at over 7000 feet, is open year round. Complimentary within the park bus tours to choice viewing spots are limited in the off-season, the awesome views for park visitors are still there all winter. The North Rim of the Grand Canyon at about a thousand feet higher in elevation, is a real snow magnet and closes in mid-October and does not open again until the Spring thaw.

Spring

Sedona is an ideal place to stay for a spring visit to the Grand Canyon National Park. The 16-mile climb north, up Oak Creek Canyon to the plateau will provide a spectacular car trip, but one should be prepared for the weather in Flagstaff and at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Atop the Colorado Plateau, across northern Arizona in general, the elevation is at 7000+ feet, over 2000-plus feet above Sedona. Temperatures on the plateau are a bit cooler year-round. In spring the North Rim opens for visitors, yet there and in Flagstaff and higher elevations snow can be a problem to watch for, well into May.

It is a perfect time of year for sight-seeing, biking, hiking and golf! However one should take into consideration that watersports may need to be put off until later in the season, since many of the waterways are fed by melting snows from higher elevations. In fact the water can be cold year-round, so be prepared.

Summer

High temperatures in summer may hit the upper 90s but with humidity down and coupled with moderating evening temperatures, visitors will need to pack a light jacket in with their summer gear. Sedona offers a wonderful summer oasis. This is the ideal time to take a slide in chilly waters of Slide Rocks State Park in Oak Creek Canyon as well as a excellent time to make plans for a white-water or float trip.

Sedona is about an hour and a half north of Phoenix and is approximately twenty degrees cooler than the scorchers in southern Arizona. Subtract another 10 degrees for those higher Colorado Plateau elevations and one should be prepared for any weather contingency. Grand Canyon visitors may be fine along the rim, but it can get real toasty for those going down into the canyon as temperatures can vary 25+ degrees, from the rim to warmer temps in the canyons abyss.

Visitors in summer, (it reasonably applies year round) should carry water with them on any hiking or outdoor trek, this is a dry climate and it is easy to become dehydrated. Head coverings - like wide brim hats can protect one from sunburn in these higher elevations. Visitors may not realize how much sun they are getting.

Autumn

Spring and autumn are ideal times to visit the Sedona area, however there can be summer-like days one week and cooler autumnal days the next. It cools off generally in mid to late October to pleasant days and cool nights, great for day hikes, bike rides, golf and exploring the amazing National Monuments, State Parks and the Grand Canyon.

During certain times of year (usually spring and fall) the adjacent Prescott and Coconino National Forest rangers will occasionally do prescribed control burns in the surrounding areas to alleviate fire risk. Some mornings, views in Sedona may be obscured by a slight haze, but even this problem tends to pass as the sun rises in the sky and light breezes take any residual smoke up and away. The burns are usually many miles distant and not anywhere near enough to smell smoke.