Climate and monthly weather forecast
Bryce Canyon National Park, UT

Bryce Canyon National Park has a climate that borders on the marine type (Köppen climate classification Cfb) with moderately hot, dry summers and cold, snowy winters, and scanty rainfall for the majority of the year. It lies in southwestern Utah, within the Colorado Plateau, along the Paunsaugunt Plateau's southeastern corner, just beyond the Paria River. The interior location and high altitude of the park creates a unique combination of a mountainous and desert climate.

Bryce Canyon National Park has an altitude of 2400 to 2700 meters at its rim, which is significantly higher than nearby Zion National Park, and the climate is relatively cooler. The park has three life zones: lowest elevation forests with pine, juniper, and manzanita, mid-elevations with ponderosa pine, spruce and fir, and the highest areas that consist of fir, aspen, and spruce. The park has a rugged terrain and a varied topography of forests, mountains, and canyons with a vast collection of hoodoos and giant natural amphitheaters.

Summers are warm, with the average high temperature peaking at 80.2°F (26.8°C) in the warmest month of July. July and August receive frequent thunderstorms with heavy bouts of rain. Winters are frigid with the average low temperature of 15.4°F (-9.2°C) during the coldest month of December, while high temperatures mostly remain below 39.9°F (4.4°C). Spring and fall have unpredictable weather, snowfall begins in the late fall season and often lasts well until mid-spring.

The mean daily sunshine in Bryce Canyon National Park varies from 6 hours in cold December to 11 hours in warm July. The mean daylight varies from 10 to 15 hours during the year. The annual precipitation averages 17" (432mm) with a peak in August and a trough in June. The snowfall of 90" (2286mm) occurs from October to May, with a peak accumulation between December and February.

The highest recorded temperature in Bryce Canyon National Park is 98.1°F (36.7°C), set on July 14, 2002, while the lowest temperature on record is -27.9°F (-33.3°C), set on December 10, 1972.

The best time to visit Bryce Canyon National Park is from June to September, with pleasant weather during summer and early fall. The average temperatures are in the range of 45°F (7.2°C) to 80.1°F (26.7°C), but highs can rise above 95°F (35°C) in a few areas of the park during peak summer. Evenings and nights tend to be mild with the temperatures in the range of 50°F (10°C) to 60.1°F (15.6°C). Summer is peak traffic time in the park with a high demand for campsites along the popular trails.

November to March, spanning late fall and early spring along with the winter, is the worst time to visit Bryce Canyon, National Park. The weather is frigid with daytime highs barely rising above 35.1°F (1.7°C), while the lows are well below the freezing mark. January sees temperatures below -15°F (-26.1°C) and 20" (508mm) of snowfall. Most trails close in the park due to the accumulation of snow. Snowshoeing and other winter activities attract a few visitors to the park during the harsh weather.

Bryce Canyon National Park is prone to flash floods, thunderstorms, and lightning strikes during the summer, especially during July and August. The storms are brief but frequent during the summer afternoons and pose an immediate danger due to the many incidents of lightning strikes. Snowstorms are frequent during winter when the cold is severe. March and April may see snowstorms that impact travel in the park.

January, the same as December, is another cold winter month in Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, with temperature in the range of an average high of 36.9°F (2.7°C) and an average low of 15.4°F (-9.2°C). In January, the average high-temperature is almost the same as in December - a still cold 36.9°F (2.7°C). Weather in January »

The last month of the winter, February, is also a wintry month in Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, with an average temperature varying between 38.5°F (3.6°C) and 16.7°F (-8.5°C). In Bryce Canyon National Park, the average high-temperature in February is relatively the same as in January - a still cold 38.5°F (3.6°C). Weather in February »

The first month of the spring, March, is a chilly month in Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, with an average temperature ranging between min 22.6°F (-5.2°C) and max 45.1°F (7.3°C). In March, the average high-temperature slightly increases from a wintry 38.5°F (3.6°C) in February to a frosty 45.1°F (7.3°C). Weather in March »

April in Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, is a fresh spring month, with temperature in the range of an average low of 28.8°F (-1.8°C) and an average high of 53.4°F (11.9°C). In Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, the average high-temperature in April marginally rises from a chilly 45.1°F (7.3°C) in March to a fresh 53.4°F (11.9°C). Weather in April »

May, the last month of the spring in Bryce Canyon National Park, is an enjoyable month, with an average temperature varying between 64°F (17.8°C) and 36.9°F (2.7°C). In May, the average high-temperature rises from a fresh 53.4°F (11.9°C) in April to a comfortable 64°F (17.8°C). Weather in May »

The first month of the summer, June, is a warm month in Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, with an average temperature varying between 44.8°F (7.1°C) and 74.5°F (23.6°C). In June, the average high-temperature increases from a comfortable 64°F (17.8°C) in May to a warm 74.5°F (23.6°C). Weather in June »

July, like June, in Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, is another warm summer month, with an average temperature fluctuating between 52.5°F (11.4°C) and 80.2°F (26.8°C). With an average high-temperature of 80.2°F (26.8°C) and an average low-temperature of 52.5°F (11.4°C), July is the warmest month. In Bryce Canyon National Park, in July, during 7.7 rainfall days, 1.57" (40mm) of precipitation is typically accumulated. Weather in July »

The last month of the summer, August, is also a moderately hot month in Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, with an average temperature fluctuating between 50.4°F (10.2°C) and 77.4°F (25.2°C). In Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, the average high-temperature in August is essentially the same as in July - a still moderately hot 77.4°F (25.2°C). Weather in August »

September, the first month of the autumn in Bryce Canyon National Park, is also an agreeable month, with temperature in the range of an average high of 69.8°F (21°C) and an average low of 41.7°F (5.4°C). In September, the average high-temperature marginally drops from a moderately hot 77.4°F (25.2°C) in August to an agreeable 69.8°F (21°C). Weather in September »

October, the same as September, in Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, is a moderate autumn month, with an average temperature ranging between min 32°F (0°C) and max 58.3°F (14.6°C). In October, the average high-temperature decreases from a pleasant 69.8°F (21°C) in September to a moderate 58.3°F (14.6°C). Weather in October »

The last month of the autumn, November, is also a frosty month in Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, with an average temperature varying between 44.8°F (7.1°C) and 22.6°F (-5.2°C). In November, the average high-temperature drops from a mild 58.3°F (14.6°C) in October to a chilly 44.8°F (7.1°C). Weather in November »

December, the first month of the winter in Bryce Canyon National Park, is also a wintry month, with an average temperature fluctuating between 36.3°F (2.4°C) and 15.4°F (-9.2°C). The coldest month is December, with an average high-temperature of 36.3°F (2.4°C) and an average low-temperature of 15.4°F (-9.2°C). Weather in December »