Is Arizona State University or San Diego State University better for warm weather?

The biggest tradeoff is desert heat versus coastal warmth. Arizona State in Tempe feels hotter for more of the year, with long stretches of very high temperatures and intense sun, while San Diego State has a milder, steadier climate that stays warm without as many extreme days. If by “warm weather” you mean true heat and lots of hot days, ASU comes out ahead. If you mean comfortable warmth you can enjoy outside almost every day, SDSU is usually the more pleasant version of warm.

ASU’s weather is very dry and very sunny. Fall and spring are typically warm to hot, winter is mild, and summer is extremely hot, often hot enough that walking across campus in the afternoon can feel draining. That heat is real, not just “nice and sunny,” so daily life can revolve around air conditioning for a good part of the year.

SDSU gets warm weather too, but San Diego’s coastal location keeps temperatures more moderate. You are much less likely to deal with the kind of relentless heat Tempe gets, and evenings are usually cooler. The tradeoff is that it may not feel as hot as you expect if you are imagining classic desert-style heat, and some mornings can be cloudier because of the marine layer.

So in a strict temperature sense, Arizona State is warmer overall. In terms of year-round livability and the kind of weather many students find easiest to enjoy, San Diego State often feels better. If your priority is hottest and sunniest, pick ASU. If your priority is warm, easy, outdoor-friendly weather most of the year, SDSU is the stronger match.