Can't Stand Another Rainy Phoenix Weekend? Go Somewhere Drier — Tucson

Tucson (95°F) and Palm Springs (96°F) made this weekend shortlist for travelers leaving Phoenix.

By Travel With YouGee

Today through Sunday

Tucson, Arizona

°F · Live via Google Weather

Today

82°F/ 71°F

Rain

75% chance · 0.43 in

Thu

90°F/ 71°F

Partly sunny

5% chance ·

Fri

96°F/ 69°F

Sunny

0% chance ·

Sat

96°F/ 69°F

Sunny

0% chance ·

Sun

94°F/ 71°F

Partly sunny

10% chance ·

Tucson, Arizona Photo: Wikipedia · Tucson, Arizona

If you're in Phoenix staring at 99°F, this weekend's shortlist starts with Tucson (95°F).

The question

What destinations match this weather decision this weekend?

Weekend comparison

DestinationHighRainMatchTravel
Tucson, Arizona95°F0.03"99%~106 mi drive
Palm Springs, California96°F0.05"99%~259 mi drive
Palm Desert, California95°F0.05"99%~248 mi drive

Where to go

1. Tucson, Arizona

Rank 1 isn’t a trophy — it’s a forecast fit. Tucson (Arizona) lands near 95°F with a dry outlook with little to no rain, which is exactly the band people want for dry heat and open sky.

This is the kind of desert stop you discover when you stop browsing generic guides and start asking for weather-perfect weekends. You can actually plan a trip around outdoor time here without pretending the sky will cooperate out of kindness.

If you’re comparing two or three towns, weigh Tucson’s 95°F high against how you actually want to feel outside — then lock the plan once it feels like weather you’ll love.

Things to do

2. Palm Springs, California

Palm Springs, California Photo: Wikipedia · Palm Springs, California

Rank 2 isn’t a trophy — it’s a forecast fit. Palm Springs (California) lands near 96°F with a dry outlook with little to no rain, which is exactly the band people want for dry heat and open sky.

What makes Palm Springs useful isn’t hype; it’s timing. For 2026-09-19 – 2026-09-20, it reads like a place where you can help plan a short getaway around dry heat and open sky and still have a backup café if a cloud shows up.

Bottom line for Palm Springs: it’s on this list because it supports current recommendations for dry heat and open sky, not because it always trends on social. That’s the difference between a real weather guide and a postcard.

Things to do

3. Palm Desert, California

Palm Desert, California Photo: Wikipedia · Palm Desert, California

Rank 3 isn’t a trophy — it’s a forecast fit. Palm Desert (California) lands near 95°F with a dry outlook with little to no rain, which is exactly the band people want for dry heat and open sky.

This is the kind of desert stop you discover when you stop browsing generic guides and start asking for weather-perfect weekends. You can actually plan a trip around outdoor time here without pretending the sky will cooperate out of kindness.

If you’re comparing two or three towns, weigh Palm Desert’s 95°F high against how you actually want to feel outside — then lock the plan once it feels like weather you’ll love.

Things to do

Before you leave

Before you leave2
  • Evening temperatures can drop from about 95°F to 69°F after sunset — pack a layer.
  • Daytime highs near 95°F — prioritize sun protection, breathable clothes, and water.
Before you leave6
  • Check the destination weather window
  • Download airline app
  • Download offline maps
  • Confirm reservations (hotel, cars, tours)
  • Review airline baggage rules
  • Share itinerary with a trusted contact

FAQ — trip planning around weather

What destinations match this weather decision this weekend?

Based on this weekend’s forecasts, Tucson (95°F high, 0.03" rain) ranks near the top for this decision — see the comparison table for the full shortlist.

How can I plan a trip based on weather?

Start with the forecast you want, shortlist places that match, then build the itinerary. That’s what YouGee does interactively — this guide is a snapshot of one decision.

What are the best vacation planning websites for weather?

Most sites start with a destination. These guides start with the weather you want, then show places that fit. See about these guides.

Keep planning


Updated September 16, 2026. Not a substitute for local advisories.

Get the weather you want

Download Travel With YouGee, or use the web at yougee.com.