Tim Chow
Audio By Carbonatix
Saint Nick may have to peel off a layer or two as he flies through Phoenix’s skies on Christmas.
After a cold start to December, temperatures have warmed back up to the high-70s and even crested 80 degrees in recent days, setting two daily records in the process. This December has been “unseasonably warm,” said Isaac Smith, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service.
Instead of a white Christmas, Phoenix residents should gear up for a hot one.
“If current trends hold,” Smith said. “It certainly could be one of our warmest Christmases on record.”
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As it currently stands, Phoenix is expected to see a pattern change occur right around Christmas Day, which Smith said should result in temperatures dropping. However, any predicted drop won’t be significant, and temperatures should still remain above normal in the mid-70s range.
“We’ll have to see how this pattern plays out, see if it turns any cooler or not,” Smith said.
Since NWS began official weather recording in 1896, Phoenix’s high temperature on Christmas has been, on average, 64.7 degrees. Last year, the maximum temperature reached 70 degrees on Christmas Day, and the year before, it was 64 degrees. Phoenix’s coldest Dec. 25 was in 1953, when the temperature was a chilly 27 degrees.
The city’s hottest Christmas Day was in 1980, when the high hit 78 degrees. Still, with a predicted scorcher, this year could break that 45-year record. Just in the last three years, Phoenix has set nine daily temperature records for December.
In 2023, the heat broke local records by hitting 82 and 84 degrees on Dec. 5 and 6, respectively. Last year broke five daily December records — Dec. 3 (83 degrees), Dec. 18-20 (all 83 degrees) and Dec. 21 (79 degrees). Phoenix has already knocked down two records this year, setting new daily highs on Dec. 14 (82 degrees) and Dec. 15 (81 degrees).
So, even if Christmas Day isn’t the hottest one ever, it could easily break the top 10. Speaking of…
The hottest Christmas Days in Phoenix history
1. 1980 – 78 degrees
T-2. 2010 – 76 degrees
T-2. 2005 – 76 degrees
T-2. 1989 – 76 degrees
T-2. 1971 – 76 degrees
T-2. 1955 – 76 degrees
T-2. 1950 – 76 degrees
T-2. 1933 – 76 degrees
T-2. 1919 – 76 degrees
T-10. 1972 – 75 degrees
T-10. 1902 – 75 degrees
