Surviving Arizona’s Summer Heat With These Local Tips

The heat is on its way to Arizona. If you’re in Tucson or Phoenix, you’ve already had a few days over 100 degrees. Still, it feels like Mother Nature is just teasing us. She’s started the heat early, but the hottest days are still to come in June.

Getting through an Arizona summer is like joining a secret club. It’s not the kind with gift bags or secret handshakes. Instead, it’s more like, “I’ve seen things. Hot things, and they’ve changed me.”

The price of joining this club is sweat and a bit of heat-induced confusion. You soon realize you can’t beat the heat, but you can outsmart it. With time, you pick up tricks that make living in triple-digit temperatures not just possible, but even a small victory—like thinking, “Hey, I didn’t pass out today.”

READ: Tips to Survive in Arizona's Heat Wave

Get our free mobile app

How Local Arizona Peeps Survive the Intense Heat

Here’s what locals really do to handle the heat and get through the summer:

• Become a morning person (even if it hurts).I’ll admit, I’m a night owl, but I mean it—Arizona mornings are as close as we get to perfect weather. After 10 a.m., the sun gets intense, and it feels like you’re walking through an air fryer. So, it’s best to do your walks, errands, and outdoor plans early.

• Carry water like it’s an accessory.Don’t wait until you’re thirsty—that’s a rookie mistake. The dry desert air takes moisture from you fast, so staying hydrated is important. Avoid sugary or caffeinated drinks to keep ahead of it. Treat your water bottle like your Emotional Support Hydration Vessel. Keep it full and bring it everywhere.
• Dress for the desert, not for style points.Wear loose, light-colored clothes, a hat, and sunglasses. These are your protection against the sun.
• Plan your day around air conditioning.This is your summer survival plan. Run errands, have lunch, or even take a long walk inside a store. Air-conditioned places are your best friend.
• Find excuses to get near water.Pools, lakes, splash pads—anything that helps you cool off becomes much more appealing. Even a quick swim can make a hot afternoon much easier to handle.

• Respect the oven-on-wheels (a.k.a., your car).Cars in Arizona get dangerously hot very quickly. Never leave kids or pets inside, even for a short time. It’s also a good idea to get a steering wheel cover and a windshield shade—unless you like burning your hands.
• Don’t skip sunscreen—ever.The sun is intense here. If you’re going outside, make SPF 30 or higher part of your daily routine.

READ MORE: How 3 Desert Species Survive Arizona's Extreme

Just Be Cool About This, Okay?

Eventually, you stop fighting the Arizona summer and learn to work with it. You change your schedule, rely on air conditioning, and start to really appreciate shade.

If you make it until the summer monsoons arrive, you’ve earned your Arizona achievement badge. You might only get bragging rights, but in the end, you can step outside and enjoy the sunset as the Earth cools down. That’s reward enough.