The Arizona deserts can get quite cold at night, with temperatures often dropping significantly after sunset. Depending on the specific desert and the time of year, nighttime temperatures can fall to anywhere between 30°F to 50°F (around -1°C to 10°C).
During the summer months, it’s not unusual for daytime highs to reach over 100°F (38°C), but once the sun goes down, the temperature can drop rapidly due to the dry air and lack of vegetation. In contrast, during the winter months, nighttime temperatures can dip even lower, sometimes reaching near freezing.
Factors such as location, elevation, and the specific desert ecosystem can influence how cold it gets. Higher elevations, like those found in the Sonoran Desert regions, tend to experience cooler nights than lower-lying areas. Even though Arizona is often associated with heat, its deserts remind us that it can get chilly after dark.