Sedona Weather, Month by Month
Every number on this page comes from NOAA's official 1991–2020 climate normals for the Sedona COOP station (USC00027708, elevation 4,429 ft), pulled from the NCEI data API — not from a travel site's estimate.
The short version: summer highs sit in the mid-90s, winter highs in the high 50s with lows near freezing, and annual rainfall totals 17.12 inches, split between a winter wet season and the summer monsoon.
Getting there
Sedona monthly climate normals
NOAA station USC00027708 (Sedona, AZ), 1991–2020 normals period.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Avg precip |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 58.3°F | 34.0°F | 2.04 in |
| February | 61.3°F | 36.2°F | 2.17 in |
| March | 67.5°F | 39.8°F | 1.94 in |
| April | 74.7°F | 44.0°F | 0.77 in |
| May | 83.7°F | 53.2°F | 0.68 in |
| June | 94.1°F | 61.2°F | 0.16 in |
| July | 96.9°F | 67.6°F | 1.62 in |
| August | 94.2°F | 66.9°F | 2.04 in |
| September | 88.8°F | 61.4°F | 1.72 in |
| October | 78.7°F | 51.0°F | 1.38 in |
| November | 66.9°F | 40.9°F | 1.12 in |
| December | 57.8°F | 32.8°F | 1.48 in |
Annual precipitation: 17.12 inches.
What the numbers mean for hiking
Roughly October through April, any trail is comfortable at any hour. That's the practical read of the table.
May through September, timing becomes the whole game. A 94°F average high understates the problem, because Sedona's signature trails — Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock, the Devil's Bridge approach — are unshaded slickrock that radiates heat back at you. Arizona health guidance suggests limiting strenuous outdoor activity above 90°F, which by this table means most of June, July and August.
The fix is simple and locals all do it: start at first light. Be off the exposed rock by 10am. The trails are also empty then, so you're trading a 5am alarm for both safety and solitude.
One trail bucks this: West Fork, which is shaded canyon walking beside a creek and is genuinely pleasant in July — when it's open, which right now it isn't.
Sedona vs Flagstaff — the 29-mile climate cliff
Flagstaff is 29 miles north and about 2,500 feet higher, and the difference is dramatic enough to plan around. NOAA's normals for Flagstaff Pulliam Airport (USW00003103, ~7,012 ft):
| Month | Flagstaff high | Flagstaff low | Flagstaff snow |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 43.4°F | 17.6°F | 20.9 in |
| April | 59.2°F | 28.2°F | 5.0 in |
| July | 82.0°F | 51.4°F | 0.0 in |
| October | 63.6°F | 31.5°F | 1.5 in |
Flagstaff's annual snow normal totals about 90 inches. Sedona's is blank in the same NOAA dataset — the agency doesn't publish one, most likely because measurable snow is too rare to compute a normal from.
Practically: in July, drive up the canyon to escape the heat. In January, expect the canyon drive to be a different world at the top, and check conditions before committing to the switchbacks.
Frequently asked questions
How hot is Sedona in summer?
NOAA's 1991–2020 normals give average highs of 94.1°F in June, 96.9°F in July, and 94.2°F in August, with overnight lows in the 60s.
How much rain does Sedona get?
17.12 inches a year per NOAA normals, split between a winter wet season (roughly 2 inches a month December to March) and the summer monsoon (July to September).
How much does it snow in Sedona?
NOAA does not publish a snowfall normal for the Sedona station — the field is blank in its own 1991–2020 dataset, most likely because measurable snow days are too few. Snow does occur, usually lightly and briefly, mostly in December and January. Any specific inches-per-year figure you see elsewhere is an estimate, not an official number.
What's the coldest month in Sedona?
December, with an average high of 57.8°F and an average low of 32.8°F — right at freezing overnight.
Is Sedona cooler than Phoenix?
Yes, meaningfully — Sedona sits around 4,350 feet versus Phoenix at about 1,100. Summer highs in the mid-90s rather than well over 100°F. It is not, however, a cool-weather destination in July.
Facts on this page last verified July 28, 2026. Fees, hours, and access rules change seasonally — confirm with the official source before a long drive.