looking at flights from CMH to SNA, nothing direct and options are DFW or PHX. Flight is in January. DFW is a bit better timing wise, but the few times I've flown through DFW have been problematic weather wise.

any insight on choosing between Dallas and Phoenix?

DFW shouldn't be too much of a weather problem in January, but PHX is a weather problem, well, never.
DFW is nicer for a medium connection (nicer restaurants, Centurion Lounge if you have access).

As you said, the chances of a weather problem causing some sort of travel issue for you at Sky Harbor are a small fraction of the chances in Dallas.

Neither airport is the height of luxury for a layover, while Dallas has better options for seeing interesting aircraft and airline liveries if you like that sort of thing. You can get a haircut in the airport in Dallas, or you can visit the museum galleries in Phoenix. https://skyharbor.com/museum/Exhibitions.html

My guess is that you are purchasing tickets on AA. If you fly through DFW, you have a good chance of riding the Mad Dag, while you have a higher probability of Airbus products through PHX, especially 319s.

thanks guys.
AA through DFW, my preferred airline
US through PHX

I think Phoenix although not the best time and not my airline of choice is the safer bet ^

Same airline

I fly Tus Dca pretty often. I prefer DFW because if there are problems going east there are a lot more options eg BWI and IAD while from PHX not so much.

Unfortunately us and aa are not the same airline when it comes to elite status

Midwinter precip in PHX can cause River valley fog and low ceilings. Airport is in that river valley subtle though it may be. Any vis or low ceiling is a real problem at PHX.

The WX odds at PHX, DFW, and SNA are all low compared to the odds at home.

DFW has more frequencies per day to/from CMH, plus more to/from CLE if the crap really hits the fan. Given that the timing is a little better for you there anyway, and it sounds like your native status is AA, I'd go DFW.

Both airports of lots of options to/from SoCal. If the problem is with that segment, it's probably MX or something else and it's not worth trying to predict where that will happen.

Food and lounge options in DFW are better as well.

PHX only has one advantage IMHO: while statistically rare, Dallas occasionally gets hit with an ice storm that really junks up the entire AA network for 2-3 days at a time. PHX's fog presumably does not do that to US.

I would always select the connection point closest to final destination. That is PHX. In addition to WX, there are all kinds of other reasons for delays & cancellations. If you are stuck at PHX, one option is to hop in a car and drive to SNA (or your destination). Practically speaking, not an option from DFW.

PHX is a junkier airport, I feel, compared to DFW. But weather is supposedly better at PHX but neither airport can handle weather

All things considered, I think you would do better at DFW, especially considering your preference for AA and the better flight times. I don't think you should factor weather at either connecting airport. DFW has a low chance for WX problems, but PHX has a nonexistent chance. PHX's problems come from monsoon thunderstorms and associated dust storms, which happen in the late summer.

PHX T4 (US/AA/WN) has really improved it's food offerings by bringing in several local restaurants like Barrio Cafe, Matt's, LGO, and Four Peaks in the past couple years, so I think PHX wins in this category.I have never heard of this. You do realize that the Salt River is more like a drainage ditch than a real river, right? I laugh every time I see that sign on I-10 that says "no fishing from bridge"

Fog may affect PHX one or two mornings a year, but it's still an ILS approach like any other major airport.

OP, if you're going to have WX problems, it'll most likely be at CMH.

My favorite picture of Sky Harbor. Guess it would be difficult to fish.

No way.

I love PHX and I love me some Four Peaks, but DFW Terminal D blows PHX out of the water here