How to Stay Cool in Tempe: A Survival Guide for ASU Students

Arizona Heat Is Its Own Category

If you moved to Tempe from somewhere with normal summers, the heat is going to hit differently than you expect. "I've been to Florida, I know heat" — no. "I grew up in Texas" — closer, but still not the same. Phoenix metro summer heat is consistent, relentless, and dry in a way that feels different from humid heat but is no less dangerous.

Here's the practical guide to not just surviving it but actually being functional.

Understand What You're Dealing With

Tempe regularly sees:

June highs of 105–108°F
July and August highs of 103–110°F with occasional thunderstorm breaks (monsoon season)
Ground temperatures 20–30 degrees hotter than air temperature
Heat that doesn't substantially cool down until after 9pm

Sun exposure adds significant subjective heat on top of the air temperature. Being in direct Arizona sun at 2pm in July is not comparable to being in shade at the same temperature.

Hydration Is Not Optional

You need more water than you think. The dry heat evaporates sweat quickly, which means you don't always notice how much moisture you're losing. Aim for at least 64oz of water per day as a baseline, significantly more if you're outside or exercising.

Signs of dehydration in Arizona heat come faster than normal: headache, lightheadedness, fatigue that feels disproportionate to activity. If you feel any of these, get inside and drink water immediately.

Carry a water bottle everywhere. Refill stations are common on campus — Hayden Library, the MU, and most academic buildings have them.

Sunscreen Is Not Optional Either

The UV index in Tempe in summer regularly hits 11 (the scale tops at 11+). This is the "extreme" category. You can burn significantly in under 15 minutes of mid-day sun exposure without protection.

SPF 30 minimum for walking between buildings. SPF 50 for anything involving extended sun exposure. Reapply if you're outside for more than 90 minutes.

Work With the Sun Schedule

Sunrise in Tempe in summer is around 5:15am. Sunrise to about 9am is legitimately pleasant — the air is warm but manageable and the light is beautiful. Sunset is around 7:30pm and the heat drops reasonably quickly.

Schedule accordingly:

Outdoor exercise: Before 9am or after 7pm
Errands on foot: Morning or early evening
Anything involving walking distance: Avoid 11am–5pm when possible

Know the Air-Conditioned Routes

ASU's campus has connections between buildings that minimize outdoor exposure. Learn the connected routes through the MU and adjacent buildings, through the underground tunnel sections, and through the linked academic buildings. During summer sessions, these routes are genuinely important.

The Hayden Library is aggressively air-conditioned (sometimes too cold — bring a light layer). The MU is well-cooled. Most campus buildings are comfortable inside.

Your Apartment Air Conditioning

Arizona AC is not the same as AC elsewhere. Your apartment AC will run basically continuously from May through September. This has two implications:

Electric bills. A Tempe apartment's summer electric bill can be $150–$250+ per month depending on the unit and your settings. Budget for this.
Temperature differentials. Going from 108°F outside into 72°F inside repeatedly is actually hard on your body. Try to keep your AC at 76–78°F and adjust with fans rather than cranking it to 68°F.

If your AC breaks in summer, it's a maintenance emergency — treat it as one and escalate immediately.

Free Cooling Options

The SDFC pool — lap swimming in summer is underrated
The MU and library — sit and study in the air conditioning
Cartel Coffee — well-cooled, productive, gives you a reason to be somewhere
Tempe Town Lake at night — surprisingly pleasant after 8pm in summer
Desert Financial Arena — check for events or just walk through the area

What Locals Actually Wear

Light colors and loose, breathable fabric. Moisture-wicking athletic material for anything involving outdoor activity. A hat with a brim — sun protection for your face and neck matters. Actual shoes rather than sandals on hot asphalt — pavement can reach 150–170°F in direct sun and will legitimately burn exposed skin.

Sunglasses are not optional. Arizona UV will damage your eyes without them.

The Mental Game

Learning to exist in extreme heat is partly physical and partly psychological. Give yourself two to three weeks when you first arrive to acclimatize — your body does adjust somewhat. Stop fighting the schedule shift and lean into it: early mornings are beautiful, late evenings are social, and the brutal midday hours are for inside activities.

Once you stop expecting the weather to cooperate with your normal schedule, it becomes much more manageable.