What to Wear in Phoenix in November: 77 at Noon, 52 at Night
What to wear in Phoenix in November
Phoenix in November runs a high near 77 and a low in the low 50s. That 25 degree swing inside a single day is the entire packing problem, and it is why visitors show up in shorts at noon and shiver on a patio at seven. Pack for two climates, not one.
November is not one climate, it is two
The month changes more than any other month in the Valley. The first week still feels like an extension of October, with highs that touch the mid 80s and evenings you can sit outside in a tee. The last week is genuinely cool, with highs near 70 and lows flirting with the upper 40s in the outlying areas.
So the honest answer depends on which half of the month you are here for. Pack the same core either way, and change the ratio of long sleeves to short.
| What changes | First half of November | Second half |
|---|---|---|
| Daytime high | Low to mid 80s | Low to mid 70s |
| After dark | Low 60s, a layer is optional | Low 50s, a layer is not optional |
| Sun down by | Around 5:30 pm | Before 5:30 pm |
| What to pack more of | Short sleeves and one layer | Long sleeves, a vest and a real jacket |
Rain barely enters the conversation. November is one of the driest stretches of the Phoenix year. You will want sun protection far more than you will want a raincoat, even in the last week of the month.
One base, one layer, one bottom that works at both ends
That is the whole formula. A short sleeve base you are comfortable in at 80 degrees, one mid layer that lives in a bag until the sun drops, and a bottom that is not miserable at either temperature. Everything else is detail.
The bottom is the part people get wrong. Shorts are fine from ten in the morning until about four in the afternoon, and then they are not. A lightweight jogger covers both ends of the day, which is why it beats both shorts and jeans for a trip where you are outside from morning to night.
The all day kit, men’s
Tee at noon, vest at five, jogger the whole time. Three pieces cover an eleven hour day.
The all day kit, women’s
Built in support underneath, a hoodie that packs flat, and a legging that handles a 52 degree patio.
If the trip is a golf trip, pack differently
November is the front half of the Arizona golf season, and the tee sheets fill accordingly. The thing nobody warns visitors about is the morning. A 7:00 am tee time in late November starts in the high 40s, and you will play the first four holes cold if you dressed for the forecast high. Our early tee time guide covers the full sequence.
The other November variable is overseed. Many Valley courses close or run temporary greens in October and reopen on new rye through November, which means soft, damp turf in the morning. Overseed season changes what you wear on your feet more than what you wear on top.
Dress it as a quarter zip over a polo, with shorts. You will shed the layer at the turn and keep the shorts all day. A heavier weight polo does more work here than a summer weight one, and the women’s version of the same idea is a structured navy polo with a skirt.
The golf trip kit, men’s
Quarter zip for the first four holes, polo and shorts for the other fourteen.
The golf trip kit, women’s
Polo, skirt, hat. Add the hoodie from the kit above for the first hour and you are covered to sunset.
The carry on version, in order
- Two short sleeve bases. One tee, one polo or tank. These carry every daytime hour of the trip.
- One long sleeve. A crew or a quarter zip. This is your morning and your restaurant patio.
- One real layer. A vest or a hoodie. Not a parka, not a windbreaker with no warmth in it.
- One short, one long bottom. Shorts for midday, a jogger or legging for everything after four.
- A hat and sunglasses. The November sun sits low and hits you in the face for most of the afternoon, which is worse than July overhead sun.
Five things to leave at home
- A heavy winter coat. You will carry it for a week and wear it for twenty minutes. A vest and a hoodie beat one bulky jacket every time.
- Rain gear. November is one of the driest months here. If it rains, it is a short afternoon shower, and you will be indoors anyway.
- A shorts only wardrobe. The single most common mistake. Nobody packs for the hour after sundown.
- Brand new shoes. Phoenix trips involve far more walking than people plan for, across resorts, courses and Old Town.
- Cotton everything. The daytime sun still gets warm enough to sweat through in the first half of the month, and cotton holds it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How cold does it get in Phoenix in November?
Overnight lows run from around the low 60s at the start of the month down to the low 50s by the end, and outlying areas such as Fountain Hills and Cave Creek can drop into the upper 40s. Daytime highs move from the mid 80s down to about 70 across the same four weeks.
Can I wear shorts in Phoenix in November?
Yes, from roughly ten in the morning to four in the afternoon, comfortably, for the whole month. After sunset you will want a long bottom, especially in the second half of November when the sun is down before 5:30 pm.
Do I need a jacket for Phoenix in November?
You need a layer, not a coat. A vest or a hooded fleece covers every evening of a normal November trip. A heavy winter jacket is overkill and takes up the space you need for the rest of the trip.
What should I pack for a November golf trip to Scottsdale?
Two polos, one quarter zip, two pairs of shorts, one pair of joggers, and a hat. Morning tee times start cold enough that the quarter zip is not optional, and you will take it off by the fourth hole.
Does it rain in Phoenix in November?
Rarely. November is one of the driest months of the Phoenix year. Plan for sun and a large temperature swing rather than for weather.
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