If you’ve been waiting for a reason to make the drive from Phoenix to Sedona, keep an eye on this weekend.
Sedona is starting the week hot, but the National Weather Service is forecasting a noticeable change heading into Friday and Saturday.
Temperatures around Sedona are expected to reach the upper 90s Thursday before dropping into the low 90s Friday and upper 80s Saturday. Thunderstorm chances also increase sharply Friday.
No, fall hasn’t officially arrived in Sedona yet.
But this weekend could offer a preview of why September is such an interesting time to head north.
What Is Happening With Sedona’s Weather?
As of Tuesday morning, the National Weather Service forecast for Sedona calls for:
Thursday: High near 98°F with a 20% chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms.
Friday: High near 92°F with a 60% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11 a.m.
Friday night: Temperatures falling to around 69°F with a 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms.
Saturday: High near 89°F with a 30% chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms.
Saturday night: Low around 68°F with a slight chance of storms.
That’s close to a 10-degree drop from Thursday afternoon to Saturday, plus evenings dipping into the upper 60s.
For anyone coming from Phoenix, where September can still feel very much like summer, that’s a noticeable change.
But There’s Another Reason We’re Watching the Forecast
Rain in Sedona can completely change the scenery.
Clouds move through the red-rock formations, the light changes quickly, and viewpoints that look familiar under a blue sky can suddenly look very different.
It can also mean lightning, slippery trails, flash-flood risks and rapidly changing conditions.
So this isn’t an invitation to go chase a thunderstorm on a trail.
It’s a reason to watch the weather and plan around it.
If storms are developing, save the hiking for a safer window and enjoy the view from town, your hotel, a restaurant or another protected location.
And if the forecast clears?
You may get one of those post-storm Sedona evenings where the clouds, sunlight and red rocks do all the work.
So, Is This a Good Weekend to Visit Sedona?
If you’re comfortable planning around changing weather, there’s a pretty good case for it.
You’re getting cooler temperatures than the start of the week, nighttime temperatures around the upper 60s, a chance for dramatic weather over the red rocks, and several things happening around town.
One of the easiest additions to the weekend is completely free.
Friday Night: Catch a Free Concert in Sedona
Sedona’s Red Dirt Concert Series continues Friday, September 11, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Posse Grounds Pavilion.
The city lists Nolan McKelvey with Spencer Vandevier for Friday’s performance, with original Americana music.
Admission is free.
If Friday’s weather cooperates, this is exactly the kind of low-effort addition that can turn a quick overnight trip into an actual weekend plan.
Just check the weather and event status before heading over if storms remain in the forecast.
Saturday: Don’t Overplan It
One mistake people make with Sedona is trying to cram six attractions into one day.
You don’t need to.
If Saturday’s current forecast holds, temperatures should be considerably more comfortable than earlier in the week.
Check trail and weather conditions in the morning. If conditions are safe, get outside early.
Then leave yourself some room.
Come back for an afternoon by the pool. Head into town. Grab dinner. Find somewhere to watch the sunset.
The point of getting out of Phoenix for the weekend isn’t to replace one packed schedule with another one.
Yes, The Pool Still Matters in September
Cooler doesn’t mean cold.
A forecast high around 89°F is still very much pool weather.
That’s one reason September can hit a particularly nice balance in Sedona. You can have a warm afternoon by the water without necessarily dealing with the same level of heat you would have experienced earlier in the summer.
At GreenTree Inn Sedona, the outdoor pool comes with the thing you actually came north to see: those red-rock views.
Spend the morning exploring, come back for the afternoon, and you don’t have to choose between pool time and actually feeling like you’re in Sedona.
What to Pack for Sedona This Weekend
September weather in Sedona is a good argument for layers.
Bring your normal warm-weather clothes, but add a light layer for evenings.
If you’re hiking, bring proper footwear and plenty of water regardless of the temperature.
And with storms currently in the forecast, check the National Weather Service and current trail conditions before heading out.
Never enter washes, slot canyons or flood-prone areas when thunderstorms or flash flooding are possible.
Most importantly, don’t build an itinerary so rigid that a weather change ruins your trip.
Sedona gives you plenty to do without being on a trail.
Phoenix Is Still in Summer. Sedona Is Starting to Hint at What’s Next.
That’s probably the biggest reason we’re watching this particular weekend.
September is a transition month in Sedona.
The red rocks haven’t suddenly turned into a fall wonderland, and peak fall color is still ahead.
But the first noticeable breaks from summer are beginning.
This weekend’s forecast is a good example.
A roughly two-hour drive can take you from the Valley to cooler nights, changing skies, red-rock views and a completely different kind of weekend.
And sometimes that’s enough of a reason to go.
Make GreenTree Inn Sedona Your Weekend Home Base
If you decide this is the weekend to head north, GreenTree Inn Sedona puts you in West Sedona, close to the trails, restaurants, shops and experiences people actually come here for.
Start the day exploring. Come back for an afternoon at the pool with red-rock views. Then head back out when the temperatures fall for dinner, sunset or one of Sedona’s September events.
Just don’t wait too long to make the call.
September is when Sedona starts reminding everyone that fall is coming.
Plan your Sedona weekend at GreenTree Inn Sedona.
