Bryce Canyon weather is cool for most of the year at the park's high elevation. Temperatures fall below freezing nearly every night from October to May, and December through February is the coldest and snowiest stretch. Summer days are pleasant, with frequent brief afternoon thunderstorms in July and August.
Bryce Canyon Weather at a Glance
High elevation makes Bryce Canyon weather changeable, and conditions can shift quickly in any season. The National Park Service (NPS) calls autumn, winter and spring at the park highly variable.
In July, the warmest month, the average high is 80°F and the average low is 53°F, a drop of 27 degrees between afternoon and dawn. In January the average high is 37°F and the low falls to 15°F, so a sunrise walk to a viewpoint starts well below freezing.
Records show the outer edges. The coldest readings on file reach -26°F in January and February, and the hottest is 98°F in July. Weather-related closures are posted as alerts on the park's current conditions page. The same page carries the forecast and a webcam looking east from Yovimpa Point, so open it the night before you drive in.
Monthly Bryce Canyon Weather Averages
The table below lists the park's historic monthly averages for temperature, snow, rain and thunderstorms, with temperatures in degrees Fahrenheit and precipitation in inches.
| Month | Avg High (°F) | Avg Low (°F) | Normal Snow (in) | Normal Rain (in) | Thunderstorms |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 37 | 15 | 17 | 1.8 | 0 |
| Feb | 38 | 17 | 18 | 1.4 | 0 |
| Mar | 45 | 23 | 17 | 1.5 | 0 |
| Apr | 54 | 29 | 8 | 0.8 | 1 |
| May | 64 | 37 | 2 | 0.8 | 3 |
| Jun | 75 | 45 | 0.1 | 0.6 | 2 |
| Jul | 80 | 53 | 0 | 1.6 | 11 |
| Aug | 77 | 50 | 0 | 2.0 | 12 |
| Sep | 70 | 42 | 0.1 | 1.8 | 4 |
| Oct | 58 | 32 | 3 | 2.0 | 1 |
| Nov | 45 | 23 | 10 | 1.3 | 0 |
| Dec | 36 | 15 | 14 | 1.2 | 0 |
February has the highest normal snowfall at 18 inches, and January and March follow at 17 inches each. July and August record no normal snow at all, while June and September each list a trace of 0.1 inch. Thunderstorms climb from 2 in June to 11 in July and 12 in August, then fall to 4 in September.
Read the table by what you want from the trip:
- Warmest days: July and August, with hikes planned around afternoon storms.
- Warm days with fewer storms: June and September.
- Snow: December through February, with nights in the teens.
Rain maximums, 24-hour rain records and record snowfall for every month are on the park's weather page.
Spring Weather from March to May
Spring at Bryce Canyon stays wintry after dark: temperatures fall below freezing nearly every night through May, and storms in March and April can still drop heavy snow that affects travel in the region. Daytime highs warm in steps, from 45°F in March to 54°F in April and 64°F in May. Average lows climb from 23°F in March to 29°F in April and sit just above freezing in May at 37°F, so frosty nights stay common.
Normal snowfall drops from 8 inches in April to 2 inches in May. April also holds a record maximum of 62 inches, so a late storm can still bring deep snow. If your dates fall in March or April, keep a free day in the plan in case a storm slows the drive.
Thunderstorms pick up in May, with a typical count of 3 for the month. The park shuttle begins its season in April and runs through mid-October, and riding it is optional but recommended. Trail conditions are updated at the visitor center, so ask there before a spring hike on the Navajo Loop Trail or another route from our list of Bryce Canyon hikes.
Summer Weather and Thunderstorm Safety
Summer at Bryce Canyon brings pleasant days and a rainy season of frequent, usually brief afternoon thunderstorms in July and August. These storms produce heavy rain and frequent lightning, and monsoon storms stay common into September.
Daytime highs reach the high 70s to low 80s (°F) in July and August. June runs cooler, with highs that vary from the high 60s to the mid 70s (°F). Average summer lows run from 45°F in June to 53°F in July, with an average August low of 50°F.
Lightning kills, and it is most common and most dangerous during July and August storms. The National Park Service sums up the rule as "when thunder roars, go indoors." Start long hikes early, plan to be back at your car or a building by early afternoon, and leave open viewpoints at the first rumble.
Lightning can strike in any month, so the same rule holds outside summer. Current flash flood watches and warnings appear on the park's conditions page.
Fall Weather and Early Snow
Fall at Bryce Canyon starts warm and ends wintry, with September weather close to June and October bringing both sunny days and snowstorms. September's average high is 70°F and its average low is 42°F, with a typical count of 4 thunderstorms as the monsoon season winds down.
October marks the return of freezing nights. The average high drops to 58°F and the low to 32°F, and snowstorms are not unusual, yet many October days are sunny and pleasant. The shuttle season ends in mid-October.
November is a step closer to winter, with an average high of 45°F, a low of 23°F and a normal 10 inches of snow. If you visit in late fall, pack for winter even when the forecast looks mild, because snow is on record in every month from September through June.
Bryce Canyon in Winter
Winter at Bryce Canyon is coldest and snowiest from December through February, and winter storms can create some of the most challenging conditions. December's average high is 36°F and February's is 38°F, with lows in the teens across all three months.
Normal snowfall runs 14 inches in December and 18 inches in February, and January's maximum on record is 82 inches.
In the park, fires are allowed only in established fire pits; current fire restrictions are posted as park alerts.
For what stays open, which trails close and what to do in the snow, see is Bryce Canyon worth visiting in winter?.
How Bryce Canyon Weather Affects Stargazing
Bryce Canyon weather sets a trade-off for stargazing: summer is milder but stormier, and winter has fewer thunderstorms in much colder air. The table lists zero thunderstorms from November through February, while July and August carry the most of any month. July lows average in the low 50s and August lows sit around 50°F.
From October to May, a night under the sky means sitting outside below freezing. Dress in layers, bring a hat and gloves, and plan shorter sessions with breaks somewhere warm. The guide to stargazing at Bryce Canyon covers viewing at the park, and the Bortle scale explained shows how sky darkness is measured.
At Dark Light Collection, we are building glass pyramids on private land near Bryce Canyon, opening in 2027. Each private deck is designed with heated loungers, and a built-in projector turns the glass into a cinema on cloudy nights. The Bryce Canyon location has the full details.
Packing by Season
Pack for both the daily high and the daily low, because the gap between them runs more than 20 degrees in every month of the year.
- Spring (March to May): an insulated jacket for nights below freezing, a hat and gloves, and waterproof shoes in case March or April storms leave snow on the trails.
- Summer (June to August): a rain shell for afternoon storms, a warm layer for cool nights, and an early start so you finish exposed hikes before the storms build.
- Fall (September to November): summer layers for September, then winter gear from October, when freezing nights and the chance of snowstorms return.
- Winter (December to February): heavy insulated layers for lows in the teens, warm boots, and room in the schedule for a storm day; see where to stay near Bryce Canyon if you want a base close to the park.
As your trip approaches, open the 7-day forecast from the park's weather page and compare it with the monthly averages above.
If you plan to stargaze at Bryce Canyon between October and May, dress for nights below freezing and read the Bryce Canyon stargazing guide before you go.
Frequently asked questions
How cold does Bryce Canyon get at night?
From October to May, temperatures fall below freezing nearly every night. Average lows sit in the teens from December through February, and record lows reach well below zero.
Does it snow at Bryce Canyon?
Yes. December through February is the coldest and snowiest period, and February averages the most snow of any month. Storms in March and April can also bring heavy snow, and snowstorms in October are not unusual.
What is the best month to visit Bryce Canyon for weather?
June and September offer the warmest days outside the July and August storm peak, though average lows are 45°F in June and 42°F in September. Pick December through February instead if you want snow and can handle cold nights.
When is thunderstorm season at Bryce Canyon?
Thunderstorm season peaks in July and August, with frequent brief afternoon storms that bring heavy rain and lightning. Monsoon storms stay common into September, and lightning is possible year-round.
Watch the Bryce Sky From a Glass Pyramid
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