Chiricahua Weather by Month: Averages, Forecasts by Elevation and What to Pack

Live forecasts from the National Weather Service. Monthly averages are NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals. Check the NPS alerts page for road and trail closures.

By John LoveFacts checked against NPS.gov · Updated October 6, 2026

Rhyolite rock spires rising above green oak woodland in Chiricahua National Park — Rhyolite spires, the "standing-up rocks" Chiricahua is known for.Photo: Wilson44691 (public domain)

In shortChiricahua is a sky island that rises from 5,124 ft at the entrance to 7,310 ft on Sugarloaf Mountain, so it is cooler than most of Arizona. The table is for the visitor center area (about 5,400 ft): mild, dry springs and falls, summer highs near 90°F with a wet July-September monsoon, and winter lows near freezing with occasional snow. The high country around Massai Point is usually 5-10°F cooler and windier.

Planning for October at the Chiricahua Visitor Center (5,300 ft): 76°F days, 47°F nights, 1.0 in of precipitation. Expect it about 5°F colder at Massai Point (6,870 ft).

Chiricahua forecast by area

Weather changes a lot with elevation here, so check the forecast for where you are actually going. Each forecast covers the National Weather Service grid square around that spot.

Visitor Center and Bonita Canyon 5,400 ft

Where the table applies (official station just north of the visitor center); campground and lower trailheads are here.

The live 7-day forecast loads here. You can also open the National Weather Service forecast for Visitor Center and Bonita Canyon.

Massai Point 6,870 ft

Usually 5-10°F cooler and windier than the visitor center; snow and ice can linger on shaded trails January-March.

The live 7-day forecast loads here. You can also open the National Weather Service forecast for Massai Point.

How elevation changes the weather in Chiricahua

Estimated average high and low for each area in October, highest first. Air cools about 3.5°F for every 1,000 feet you climb, so the same day can feel like two different seasons. Change the month in the packing picks below to update these numbers.

6,870 ftMassai Point71° / 42°
5,400 ftVisitor Center and Bonita Canyon76° / 47°

Estimates based on the long-term average at the Chiricahua Visitor Center (5,300 ft). Check the live forecast for each area above before you go.

Average weather in Chiricahua by month

Monthly averages for CHIRICAHUA NM, AZ (5,300 ft), NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals. About 19 inches of precipitation a year.
Month	Avg high	Avg low	Precipitation	Snowfall
January	56°F	30°F	1.3 in	1.3 in
February	61°F	33°F	1.3 in	0.5 in
March	67°F	37°F	1.2 in	0.2 in
April	74°F	41°F	0.3 in	0.0 in
May	83°F	49°F	0.3 in	0.0 in
June	91°F	57°F	0.9 in	0.0 in
July	90°F	60°F	3.8 in	0.0 in
August	87°F	60°F	4.6 in	0.0 in
September	84°F	57°F	1.6 in	0.0 in
October	76°F	47°F	1.0 in	0.1 in
November	66°F	38°F	1.0 in	0.4 in
December	56°F	31°F	1.5 in	1.2 in

These are long-term averages at one station. Higher areas of the park are colder, and any single year can be much warmer, colder, wetter or drier.

Chiricahua weather month by month

Chiricahua in January

56°F / 30°F. Coldest month (highs near 56°F, lows near 30°F). Snowstorms usually come a few times a winter and melt quickly at the visitor center, but trails are often icy; Bonita Canyon Drive can be slick or briefly delayed while crews plow.

Chiricahua in February

61°F / 33°F. Cool and mostly sunny with occasional winter storms. Expect icy or snow-packed spots on upper trails; Echo Canyon parking can fill on busy days.

Chiricahua in March

67°F / 37°F. Warming days in the 60s °F with cold nights; late snow is still possible. Spring is the busiest season, so arrive early for upper trailhead parking.

Chiricahua in April

74°F / 41°F. One of the driest months (about 0.3 in), with highs near 74°F. Strong winds are common and fire danger rises.

Chiricahua in May

83°F / 49°F. Warm, very dry, and often windy, with highs in the low 80s °F. Peak fire season; fires are prohibited everywhere except campground grills, which can close under Stage 2 restrictions.

Chiricahua in June

91°F / 57°F. Hottest month (highs near 91°F). Hike early. The NPS monsoon season starts June 15, and up to half the campsites may close for flood risk from June through September.

Chiricahua in July

90°F / 60°F. Monsoon thunderstorms typically build in the afternoon with lightning, hail, and heavy rain (about 3.8 in on average). Flash floods can briefly cover Hwy 186 between Willcox and the park.

Chiricahua in August

87°F / 60°F. Wettest month (about 4.6 in). Daily afternoon storms are typical; washes can flood fast, and saturated slopes have caused rockfall closures on Bonita Canyon Drive.

Chiricahua in September

84°F / 57°F. Storms usually taper off through the month as the monsoon ends (NPS season runs to Sept 30). Warm days in the 80s °F, greener landscape.

Chiricahua in October

76°F / 47°F. Usually one of the best months: dry, sunny, highs in the mid 70s °F and lows in the upper 40s °F. Bring a jacket for evenings and Massai Point.

Chiricahua in November

66°F / 38°F. Cool, pleasant days in the mid 60s °F and nights in the upper 30s °F. The first snow or ice of the season is possible late in the month.

Chiricahua in December

56°F / 31°F. Winter conditions with highs in the mid 50s °F and nights near freezing. Snow or ice can come with Pacific storms and may slow or briefly close the upper road; the visitor center is closed Christmas Day.

Weather hazards to plan for

Lightning on exposed ridges and trails during July-September monsoon storms, with few places to shelter
Flash floods in Bonita Creek and washes, which can also briefly flood Hwy 186 to the park; turn around, don't drown
Strong spring and summer winds (recorded up to 60 mph) that can topple trees and spread wildfire quickly
Icy, snow-packed trails and road sections from January through March, especially on shaded high slopes
Summer heat on trails in June, plus freezing nights from about November through March

What to pack for Chiricahua, based on the weather

Gear picked from Chiricahua's average weather for the month you choose. Packing for

October: average high 76°F, low 47°F, 1.0 in of precipitation.

Sleeping bags rated 25–39°F

Nights average 47°F at the Chiricahua Visitor Center, and higher campgrounds run colder. A bag rated about 10°F below the low keeps you warm.

Shop at Coleman

Camp stoves

With nights near 47°F, hot meals and drinks make mornings much easier. Stoves are usually allowed even when campfires are banned.

Shop at Coleman

Coolers

Keep food sealed and cold at camp.

Shop at Coleman

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Chiricahua weather questions

What is the weather like in Chiricahua National Park in October?

October is usually dry and sunny near the visitor center, with highs near 76°F, lows near 47°F, and about 1 inch of precipitation. Massai Point is typically 5-10°F cooler and windier.

Does it snow at Chiricahua National Park?

Yes. The NPS says snow usually falls at least a few times each winter (roughly 2 to 10 times a year), mostly December through March, and it rarely lingers except on shaded high slopes. Storms can bring up to a foot, and trails can stay icy.

When is monsoon season at Chiricahua?

The NPS lists monsoon season as June 15 to September 30, with the heaviest rain usually in July and August. July and August together average over 8 inches, nearly half the year's precipitation, mostly from afternoon thunderstorms.

How hot does Chiricahua get in summer?

June is the hottest month, with average highs near 91°F at the visitor center, while nights cool to the upper 50s °F. Because of its elevation, the park is much cooler than Tucson or Phoenix.