admin Phoenix regularly sees more than 100 days a year at or above 100°F. Locals don’t just survive it; they shift their whole rhythm. Here’s how.
Updated October 2026. Rules and fees change; confirm with the official source linked in each section.
Shift your schedule
Summer mornings are gorgeous. Locals hike, walk dogs, run errands and do yard work before 8 a.m. Afternoons are for A/C, pools and museums. Evenings come back to life after sunset.
Your car
- Windshield sunshade (it makes a real difference)
- Seat covers or towels and a steering-wheel cover
- Emergency water, phone charger and a basic kit
- Check battery and tires often; heat kills both
- Never leave kids, pets or anyone in a parked car, even for a minute
- Don’t leave sunscreen, aerosol cans, electronics or lighters in the car
Your home
- Service the A/C every spring and change filters monthly.
- On a time-of-use plan, pre-cool before peak hours and keep the thermostat steady.
- Blackout curtains on west- and south-facing windows.
- Ceiling fans cool people, not rooms.
- Have a plan if the A/C dies: a 24/7 HVAC company and the nearest cooling center.
Pets
Pavement can get hot enough to burn paws. Test it with the back of your hand for seven seconds. Walk dogs at dawn, carry water, and keep pets inside in the afternoon.
Hiking safety
Heat rescues happen every summer. Phoenix closes some of its most popular trails, including Echo Canyon on Camelback and the Piestewa Peak summit trail, during extreme heat warnings. Go at sunrise, bring more water than you think, and turn back early. More: Best Hikes.
Know the signs of heat illness
Heat exhaustion (heavy sweating, dizziness, nausea, cramps) can turn into heat stroke (confusion, hot skin, fainting), which is a 911 emergency. Get into shade, cool down and get help.
What locals actually do in summer
- Pool days and resort “staycation” deals
- Escape north: Flagstaff, Prescott, Payson, the White Mountains
- Float the Salt River; boat at Saguaro Lake or Lake Pleasant
- Indoor fun: museums, the science center, bowling, ice rinks
- Night hikes, night swims and late dinners
- Watch monsoon storms roll in (see Monsoon 101)