Grand Canyon Weather: Weather Information at the Canyon

Grand Canyon Weather

Keep alert for weather changes and have a safe and pleasant day in the Grand Canyon

No one sees the same view twice! Credit mother nature for creating ever-shifting clouds and shadows that give counterpoint to sunlight and snow reflecting off the rocks. As beautiful as it is, it can also be hazardous. Grand Canyon weather can rapidly change from rim to rim and to canyon bottom. Be prepared.

South Rim, elevation 7000 feet—for South Rim road and weather conditions phone 888-411-7623.
Summer: typically 50's-80's° F. Thunderstorms occur especially in July, August, and early September.
Spring and Fall: Temperatures can be very comfortable in late spring and early fall, but the weather is extremely unpredictable.
Winter: Temperatures in the 20's-40's° F. Be prepared for snow, icy roads, fog, and road closings.

North Rim, elevation 8000 feet
Summer: 5-10° F. cooler than South Rim.
Spring and Fall: Extremely unpredictable weather.
Winter: Temperatures in teens to 40s° F. Roads are closed early November to mid-May, depending on weather. Snow can be up to 10 feet deep in winter.

Inner Canyon
Expect the Inner Canyon to be about 20° F. hotter than the rim. In summer at mid-day, temperatures can soar to 115-120° F.

Temperatures and Precipitation

South Rim

Inner Canyon

North Rim

Max

Min

Precp

Max

Min

Precp

Max

Min

Precp

January
41

18

1.32

56

36

0.68

37

16

3.17

February
45

21

1.55
62 42 0.75 39 18 3.22

March
51

25

1.38
71 48 0.79 44 21 2.63

April
60

32

0.93
82 56 0.47 53 29 1.73

May
70

39

0.66
92 63 0.36 62 34 1.17

June
81

47

0.42
101 72 0.30 73 40 0.86

July
84

54

1.81
106 78 0.84 77 46 1.93

August
82

53

2.25
103 75 1.40 75 45 2.85

September
76

47

1.56
97 69 0.97 69 39 1.99

October
65

36

1.10
84 58 0.65 59 31 1.38

November
52

27

0.94
68 46 0.43 46 24 1.48

December
43

20

1.62
57 37 0.87 40 20 2.83

Safety tips

Dress in layers. Temperatures typically drop 20-30 degrees from the day's highs to the day's lows and weather changes can bring about a 40° drop in a few hours.

Wear a hat. Protect your skin with sunscreen. You burn easily at high desert altitude.

Carry water with you at all times. Expect to drink 2-3 times your normal amount of water. The high altitude makes you feel hotter than the thermometer indicates, and you can dehydrate quickly. Avoid beverages that dehydrate, such as alcohol.

Be alert for heat exhaustion. Symptoms are: dizziness, nausea, weakness, clammy skin, goose bumps. Get out of the sun and preferably into air conditioning.

Hike during the cooler part of the day. Keep your energy up with frequent snacks or meals.

Make sure someone knows where you are. Preferably go with another person.

Listen to the radio for changes in weather. Flash floods can result from storms you can't see 20 miles away.

Take cover in thunder storms. Lightning strikes can be deadly. A plastic raincoat is protection from both rain and wind.

Wear comfortable walking shoes or boots. At night, high top boots are protection against rattlesnakes.

If traveling in winter, carry extra supplies of food, water, blankets, gas in case you get stranded in a snowstorm. Do not go for help; wait for help to find you.