Today's barometric pressure in Scottsdale, a 48-hour pressure chart, and a risk score for weather-triggered migraine and headache, based on pressure drops, humidity, and temperature changes.
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Scottsdale sits at 383 metres on the northeastern edge of the Phoenix valley, where the Sonoran Desert meets the McDowell Mountains. Pressure averages 969 hPa, and the desert's daily temperature range regularly exceeds 20 degrees even when the barometer barely moves.
Worst season for migraines: January, March and April. Pacific systems reaching Arizona in the cool months account for most of the year's barometric movement. The monsoon from July into September works differently, with individual storms creating sharp local falls rather than broad regional shifts.
Common triggers in Scottsdale: monsoon outflow boundaries and haboobs, 20-degree daily temperature swings, extreme summer heat above 43C. Monsoon thunderstorms in the valley generate outflow boundaries, gusts of cooled air that race ahead of the storm and drop pressure abruptly over a few minutes. Haboobs, walls of dust lifted by those outflows, can reach thousands of feet high. The combination of dust, sudden humidity spikes and rapid pressure change makes monsoon season distinctly harder than the raw seasonal numbers suggest.
Typical pressure: Scottsdale averages 969 hPa at rest, measured at the city's own elevation rather than corrected to sea level, and storm systems can push readings down to 961 hPa. Swings of 5-8 hPa over 24 hours are common during active weather and fall within the range most associated with pressure-triggered migraines.
2026 index: Scottsdale is not one of the 100 metros ranked in our 2026 U.S. Migraine Risk Index, which shows how they compare.
Can Scottsdale weather trigger migraines?
Yes. Scottsdale experiences 5-8 hPa barometric pressure swings, and research shows pressure drops are one of the most common migraine triggers. The city's specific patterns include monsoon outflow boundaries and haboobs, 20-degree daily temperature swings, extreme summer heat above 43C.
What time of year are migraines worst in Scottsdale?
In Scottsdale the most barometrically volatile stretch of the year falls in January, March and April. That is when weather is most likely to play a part, if weather is a trigger for you at all. See when migraine weather season starts across the U.S.
Is there a barometric pressure headache forecast for Scottsdale?
This page works as one. Many people call a headache that arrives with a weather change a barometric pressure headache, and this forecast tracks the pressure drops, humidity and temperature swings behind that idea. The score covers the next 24 hours in Scottsdale and the chart shows the next 48. It is built on migraine research, so treat it as a rough guide for other headaches. A sudden, severe headache needs urgent medical care, whatever the weather.
Your own forecast
This page shows the weather risk for everyone in Scottsdale. The MigrAid app learns yours. It saves the barometric pressure, humidity and temperature with every migraine you log, shows whether Scottsdale's swings really line up with your attacks, and alerts you when conditions match your own trigger history.