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Yellowstone Weather

Yellowstone National Park is at high altitude. Most of the park is above 7,500 feet (2,275 meters).

Yellowstone's weather is unpredictable. In summer, it may be warm and sunny with temperatures in the high 70s. At night in any given month, the temperature may drop close to freezing. So it is best to come prepared for cold evenings and mornings, especially if you are camping or hiking. When you leave your campsite, please leave it prepared for possible thundershowers and wind.

A sunny warm day may become fiercely stormy with wind, rain, sleet and sometimes snow. Without adequate clothing and gear, an easy day hike or boat trip can turn into a battle for survival. Exposure to wind, rain, or cold can result in hypothermia. Be prepared!

Seasonal Weather Information

Lily in SpringSpring
Cold and snow linger into May, although temperatures gradually climb. Early in spring, daytime temperatures average in the 40s to 50s; by late May and June, they may reach the 60s and 70s. Nighttime lows fall below freezing.

Trees in SummerSummer
Daytime temperatures are usually in the 70s, occasionally reaching the 80s in the lower elevations. Nights are cool, temperatures may drop in the 40s and 30s--sometimes even the 20s. June can be cool and rainy; July and August tend to be somewhat drier, although afternoon thundershowers are common.

Fall leafFall
Weather can be pleasant, although temperatures average 10-20 degrees lower than summer readings. Nighttime lows can fall into the teens and lower. Snowstorms increase in frequency and intensity as the weeks go by or towards the end of the fall season.

Tree in WinterWinter
Temperatures often hover near zero throughout the day, occasionally reaching highs in the 20s. Subzero nighttime lows are common. Annual snowfall averages nearly 150 inches in most of the park. At higher elevations, 200-400 inches of snow have been recorded.

Weather Forecasts

We have weather reports and forecasts available from a few different sources.

Weather Links

  •  Yellowstone Wildland Fire Weather Page
  •  Yellowstone Daily Weather Reports - Winter Only
  •  Regional Satellite Image - From NOAA
  •  Regional Satellite Animation - From NOAA
  •  Current U.S. Weather and More
  •  Mammoth Hot Springs WebCam
  •  Old Faithful WebCam
  •  National Weather Service
  •  The Weather Channel
  •  Intellicast Weather
  •  The Weather Underground
    		•

    Yellowstone Historical Weather Information LinksFort Yellowstone

  •  Yellowstone Weather History
  •  Lamar Ranger Station Weather History
  •  Old Faithful Weather History
  •  Snake River / South Entrance Weather History
  •  Tower Falls Weather History
  •  Yellowstone Lake Weather History
    		•

    Yellowstone's Average Temperatures and Precipitation
    Weather Data: 48-Year Average
    Month Average Maximum Temperature (F) Average Minimum Temperature (F) Average Precipitation (Inches) Average Total Snow Fall (Inches)
    Jan 28.6 9.6 1.1 14.5
    Feb 34.0 13.0 0.75 10.4
    March 39.6 17.2 1.1 13.1
    April 49.4 26.0 1.2 5.9
    May 60.4 34.3 2.0 1.5
    June 70.0 41.2 1.5 0.1
    July 79.6 46.7 1.5 0.0
    Aug 78.3 45.3 1.4 0.0
    Sep 67.8 37.0 1.3 0.5
    Oct 55.7 29.4 1.0 3.7
    Nov 38.7 19.2 1.0 9.0
    Dec 30.5 11.8 1.0 13.5
    Annual 52.8 27.6 15.4 72.1
    Data provided by the Western Regional Climate Center

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    Last Updated: Tuesday, 04-May-04 18:22:44
    http://www.nps.gov /yell/planvisit/orientation/weather/index.htm