I am a South Carolina resident who flees our mild winters for the warmth and sunshine of Florida every year. We were thinking about trying southern Arizona this winter, but some of the posts about temps has been scaring me. Is there anyplace in the state that would have temps in the range of; 45-50 overnight and 75+ during the day?

The Yuma area has what you are looking for. On a rare occasion you will get frost. In 13 years I have seen frost maybe 5 times. Daytime temps can be in the 60s during Jan and Feb but most days are in the 70s. Areas around Quartzite and Havasu have similar but a little cooler temps.

"Normal" winters have daytime temps that average 65 or so in Yuma, yet there is always a possibility that it might get colder, or even snow in Phoenix. Phoenix does not get snow every winter, or even every 3-5 years, but it can snow there. Just a few miles away at a higher elevation of 5,000 feet, it does snow each winter, kinda nice to be able to ski there. Usually the valley is pretty warm around Phoenix. Tucson is a higher elevation, and just to the east the mountains will always get some amount of snow each winter. Benson is around 3,500' elevation, if I remember right. You can click on maps.google.com and then Terrain, and search any area for elevations. So avoid the higher elevations, and find someplace near sea level, such as Yuma for the coldest part of winter. Quartzsite is also warmer area, along with Brenda, they have a large RV park there, with many snowbirds who rent a place all year long, then store the RV on site for summer. Yearly rental is only about $1,200. South Texas would be a great place to visit along the way to Arizona, and should also be warm. You can search Weather.com and check monthly averages for any area of the country that you like. Fred.

Plenty warm in southern AZ during the winter, but like any other state it is not as far south as Florida so it is susceptible to infrequent cold spells that rarely last more than a couple of days. DW and I were were born, raised, and lived nearly all of our lives in the Valley of the Sun and saw snow fall three times with zero accumulation. It can be cold a couple of days here or there, but it is rare that the weather can stay that way for any prolonged period, it would be freakish to say the least. Just plenty of wonderful sunshine and warmth without all that dreadful humidity.

And the wind rarely blows for more than a week at a time. Then a few nice days and the wind returns.

Bob/Olallawa wrote:And the wind rarely blows for more than a week at a time. Then a few nice days and the wind returns.IMHO this information is totally inaccurate. It shows the posters lack of experience and/or knowledge of the area.

Is anyplace in Arizona warm in winter? | Good Sam Community

32 Replies

larry_barnhart
Explorer
Aug 21, 2014
Never did a winter in Florida or Texas but the folks we know that have often say less bugs in Casa Grande than Florida or Texas.

Where ever you go have a great winter's stay for everybody on this forum. We are seeing the end of our days in Az but will go until we can't.
chevman
Supercharged
Explorer
Aug 18, 2014
DrivingMissDaisy wrote:
I am a South Carolina resident who flees our mild winters for the warmth and sunshine of Florida every year. We were thinking about trying southern Arizona this winter, but some of the posts about temps has been scaring me. Is there anyplace in the state that would have temps in the range of; 45-50 overnight and 75+ during the day?
Gila Bend is your best bet. Small town, near Phoenix, Nice palace to spend the winter.
PalmTree
Explorer
Aug 16, 2014
look how warm it is here. And if anyone knows whose dog this is let them know.
GoPackGo
Explorer
Aug 13, 2014
One of the Keys claims to fame is that it has never, ever, not even once, been down to freezing there. You're basically in the Caribbean. It's simply wonderful. Flowers blooming everywhere. Snorkeling (need a shorty suit in Jan and Feb). Watch the fishing boats come in. You're able to wear t-shirts and shorts and be comfortable even after the sun goes down. You will believe you are in a different country, in more ways then one.
Luke_Porter
Explorer
Aug 13, 2014
RCMAN46 wrote:
Luke Porter wrote:
pjsky wrote:
Another vote for Yuma. Warmest average annual temperature in the continental USA. Paul

But it's not the warmest in the winter. South Florida is 7-10 degrees warmer in Jan.

That is true but I bet Yuma has more sun and the humidity is much lower in Yuma.

When the sun is shinning 70's are very comfortable.

Humidity makes the air feel warmer.

The average Jan low is 46---not very comfortable in my book.

If you think Yuma's colder weather is better than the Keys---fine.

How's the fishing in Yuma? I admit the diving is a little cold in Jan here.
RCMAN46
Explorer
Aug 13, 2014
Luke Porter wrote:
pjsky wrote:
Another vote for Yuma. Warmest average annual temperature in the continental USA. Paul

But it's not the warmest in the winter. South Florida is 7-10 degrees warmer in Jan.

That is true but I bet Yuma has more sun and the humidity is much lower in Yuma.

When the sun is shinning 70's are very comfortable.
Luke_Porter
Explorer
Aug 13, 2014
pjsky wrote:
Another vote for Yuma. Warmest average annual temperature in the continental USA. Paul

But it's not the warmest in the winter. South Florida is 7-10 degrees warmer in Jan.
DrivingMissDais
Explorer
Aug 13, 2014
Thanks, I'll be sure to try Keys Fisheries. I'm originally from the Chesapeake Bay and miss the many fine seafood restaurants up there. I live in a southern tourist town now and they think all seafood must be encrusted in flour and deep fried.
GoPackGo
Explorer
Aug 13, 2014
And if you are going thru Marathon, you might consider stopping at my favorite restaurant in all of the Keys - Keys Fisheries. Not fancy, you sit at tables outside. Just really good food. Located next door to where the fishing boats dock.

Tim
mpierce
Explorer
Aug 07, 2014
A lot depends on where you are from, and what you are used to.

I drove long haul truck for a number of years. I always said, once you get east of the Mississippi River, there is no wind! Now, that is an oversimplification, but generally true.

I live in SW ND, and we get quite a bit of wind. What we call a breeze, people in the East call windy.

Most, if not all, of the West is windier than the east. So, for people from the West, what we call a breezy day, and normal, people from the East will scream too windy to drive! Terrible day, etc.

Perspective is everything.