Grand Canyon Weather: Forecast and Month-by-Month Averages

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.

In shortGrand Canyon spans roughly 2,000 ft at the river to over 8,000 ft on the North Rim, and temperatures rise about 5.5°F for every 1,000 ft you descend. The table is for the South Rim (about 7,000 ft), which has cold, sometimes snowy winters and warm summers with a July-September monsoon. The inner canyon is far hotter and drier, and the North Rim is cooler and much snowier.

Grand Canyon 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.

South Rim (Grand Canyon Village) 7,000 ft

Where the table applies; open year-round, with winter snow (about 58 in a year) and summer monsoon storms.

The live 7-day forecast loads here. You can also open the National Weather Service forecast for South Rim (Grand Canyon Village).

North Rim 8,297 ft

Coolest and wettest area, about 142 in of snow a year; closed to vehicles December 1 to May 14. Day use only in 2026 after the Dragon Bravo Fire.

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

Inner canyon (Phantom Ranch) 2,460 ft

No road access; summer highs average 106°F and can reach 120°F. Phantom Ranch and nearby trails are currently closed after flood damage.

The live 7-day forecast loads here. You can also open the National Weather Service forecast for Inner canyon (Phantom Ranch).

Average weather in Grand Canyon by month

Monthly averages for GRAND CANYON NP 2, AZ (South Rim) (6,785 ft), NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals. About 15 inches of precipitation a year.
Month	Avg high	Avg low	Precipitation	Snowfall
January	44°F	19°F	1.8 in	12.9 in
February	46°F	21°F	1.2 in	7.8 in
March	54°F	25°F	1.9 in	8.1 in
April	61°F	29°F	0.6 in	2.8 in
May	70°F	36°F	0.4 in	0.1 in
June	82°F	43°F	0.2 in	0.0 in
July	85°F	50°F	2.3 in	0.0 in
August	82°F	50°F	2.2 in	0.0 in
September	76°F	44°F	1.5 in	0.0 in
October	65°F	33°F	1.2 in	1.1 in
November	53°F	25°F	0.8 in	2.2 in
December	43°F	18°F	1.2 in	8.0 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.

Grand Canyon weather month by month

Grand Canyon in January

44°F / 19°F. Coldest month on the South Rim (highs near 44°F, lows near 19°F); storms can drop several inches of snow. Roads use cinders, not salt; trails are often icy, so carry traction devices. The North Rim is closed to vehicles.

Grand Canyon in February

46°F / 21°F. Still winter on the rims with periodic snow and icy trails. The inner canyon is milder (highs in the low 60s °F).

Grand Canyon in March

54°F / 25°F. Variable weather with late snowstorms possible. Hermit Road switches to shuttle-only on March 1.

Grand Canyon in April

61°F / 29°F. Cool, mostly dry spring days near 60°F on the South Rim; nights still near freezing. Strong winds are common.

Grand Canyon in May

70°F / 36°F. Pleasant rim weather (highs near 70°F) and one of the driest months. The North Rim is typically closed to vehicles through May 14; inner-canyon highs reach the 90s °F.

Grand Canyon in June

82°F / 43°F. One of the driest months and the start of extreme inner-canyon heat (average highs above 100°F at Phantom Ranch). Do not hike below the rim between 10 am and 4 pm.

Grand Canyon in July

85°F / 50°F. Monsoon storms typically begin, building by midday with lightning and brief heavy rain, most often 11 am to 6 pm. Inner-canyon highs average 106°F.

Grand Canyon in August

82°F / 50°F. Wettest month on the South Rim (about 2.3 in) with frequent afternoon thunderstorms; flash floods can surge down side canyons without local rain.

Grand Canyon in September

76°F / 44°F. Monsoon storms usually fade through early September; warm days and cooler nights. Good shoulder-season month.

Grand Canyon in October

65°F / 33°F. Crisp and mostly dry (South Rim highs near 65°F, lows near 33°F). The first snow is possible late in the month. On the North Rim, Cape Royal and Point Imperial roads close Oct 15 to Nov 3, 2026 for repairs, and the campground closes after Oct 15.

Grand Canyon in November

53°F / 25°F. Cold nights in the 20s °F and early storms. The North Rim stays open for day use through November 30, 2026 or until the first major snowstorm. Hermit Road reopens to private vehicles after November 30.

Grand Canyon in December

43°F / 18°F. Winter conditions on the South Rim with snow and icy viewpoints; expect brief road closures while snow is cleared. The North Rim is closed to vehicles from December 1.

Weather hazards to plan for

Extreme heat below the rim, May through September (Phantom Ranch averages 106°F in July and has hit 120°F)
Monsoon lightning at exposed rim viewpoints, typically July to early September, mostly 11 am to 6 pm
Flash floods in side canyons and debris flows on burned North Rim slopes during summer storms
Icy, snow-packed rim trails and viewpoints in winter
Large day-night temperature swings; rim nights can drop below freezing from October through April

Grand Canyon weather questions

What is the weather like at the Grand Canyon in October?

On the South Rim, October averages highs near 65°F and lows near 33°F, with about 1.2 inches of precipitation. The inner canyon is much warmer, with highs in the mid 80s °F.

Does it snow at the Grand Canyon?

Yes. The South Rim averages about 58 inches of snow a year and the North Rim about 142 inches, while Phantom Ranch on the canyon floor gets less than 1 inch.

When is monsoon season at the Grand Canyon?

Thunderstorms are most common from July through early September, usually between 11 am and 6 pm. August is the wettest month on the South Rim.

How hot does it get at the bottom of the Grand Canyon?

Phantom Ranch averages a July high of 106°F and has recorded 120°F, roughly 20-30°F hotter than the rims. The park advises not hiking between 10 am and 4 pm in summer.

What is the best month for weather at the Grand Canyon?

May and late September through October bring mild, mostly dry days on the South Rim and more manageable temperatures below the rim. Summer rim weather is pleasant but brings afternoon storms and extreme heat in the canyon.

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