Flagstaff, Arizona is located at an elevation of around 7000 feet. Because of this fact, temperatures
in the summer tend to be significantly cooler than in much of the rest of Arizona. In fact, many people
tend to be surprised by the weather conditions they encounter when visiting Flagstaff. Flagstaff's elevation
of 7000 feet assures a variety of weather including cool winters and mild pleasant summers, with considerable
diurnal temperature changes (the difference between daily maximum and minimum temperatures). But, how warm
does it actually get in Flagstaff?
Weather records have been taken in Flagstaff since September 9, 1898. Therefore, we
have about 100 years of weather records to look back at to see what a 'typical' summer in Flagstaff is like.
The average high temperature in Flagstaff during the month of July is 81.9oF, but the average low
temperature is a cool 50.5oF. Temperatures can dip down into the 40s and even into the upper 30s on rare
occasions during the summer.
How many days per year does Flagstaff reach 90 degrees?
On average, Flagstaff will receive 59 days during the summer with afternoon high temperatures reaching
at least 80 degrees. Of those, 22 days will reach at least 85 degrees. How many days per year
does Flagstaff reach 90 degrees? Flagstaff will reach 90 degrees or warmer four times during the
typical summer.
Does Flagstaff ever get heat waves?
Flagstaff can have extended periods of hot weather (although certainly not as warm
as what people in Phoenix experience!). The longest stretch of consecutive days where the temperature
reached 85 degrees or warmer was 22 days set between June 10 - July 1, 1974. More recently, the
longest stretch of consecutive days with maximum temperatures of 90 degrees or warmer was established with
11 days straight of 90 degrees or warmer weather between June 21 - July 1, 1990.
During the summer of 1974, the temperature reached 90 degrees or warmer 15 days, with 14 of those occurring
in the month of June. The temperature was 85 degrees or warmer on 48 days that year, 21 of which occurred in the month of June.
The summer of 1974 was a hot time in Flagstaff for sure!
So what is the highest temperature ever recorded in Flagstaff?
So, when did the highest temperature occur in Flagstaff? If you guessed 1974, I'm sorry to say
you'd be wrong. It actually occurred the summer previous to that, on July 5, 1973. On that day, clear skies
and light westerly winds led to an afternoon high temperature of 97 degrees. This was after an early
morning low temperature of 51 degrees. Therefore, the temperature (at least in the last 100 years of record keeping)
has never officially reached 100 degrees in Flagstaff. However, at slightly lower elevations, the temperatures have
reached 100 degrees in communities surrounding Flagstaff.
How can I find out more about the climate of Flagstaff?
There is a lot of information on the internet regarding climate, and even the climate of Flagstaff. The links provided below will take you
to some of these climate pages, including the climate page on the Flagstaff National Weather Service Office.
www.weather.gov 
