a rare snowfall
In Big Bend National Park
The old adage "If you don't like the weather, just wait a minute," often holds true in Big Bend National Park. While Big Bend generally has blue skies and warm days, the weather can change quickly and dramatically. You should be prepared for just about ANY type of weather at any time of the year. The following chart and links will help you plan your Big Bend visit.

Live View from Park HQ!
See the Sierra del Carmen...Live!

Weather Satellite Views
Visible imagery and doppler radar
Panther Junction Weather
Automated Station...updated hourly
Chisos Basin Weather 
Automated Station...updated hourly

The table below is based on average temperatures in the park. Temperatures in the higher mountain areas vary about 5-10 degrees below those shown, while temperatures along the Rio Grande can be 5-10 degrees higher. Sunshine is abundant most of the year. Infrequent and brief periods of cloudy weather may occur during the winter months. While snow is rare and generally light, occasional cold fronts can bring temperatures well below freezing.

These two photos were taken only a few hours apart!    

Light & Shadows by J. Mayton snowy Chisos by J. Mayton

See a rare Big Bend snowfall


Relative humidity is usually low. The rainy season extends from mid-June to October with locally heavy thunderstorms and some flash flooding. However, the water recedes rapidly and the rainy season can be a delightful time to visit the desert.

How Wet has it Been?

YEARLY TOTAL RAIN IN INCHES (updated 9/27/2004) Parkwide
Average
PANTHER JUNCTION CHISOS
BASIN

RIO
GRANDE VILLAGE

CASTOLON PERSIMMON GAP
1986 22.56 33.45 15.36 20.02 20.20 22.32
1987 17.62 21.84 11.85 11.53 NR 15.71
1988 9.58 19.53 9.61 8.98 8.45 11.23
1989 5.80 9.74 6.59 6.52 5.44 6.82
1990 20.80 28.63 12.14 18.14 11.90 18.32
1991 21.60 30.60 13.95 14.96 12.32 18.69
1992 16.23 23.28 10.52 9.39 13.79 14.64
1993 15.96 15.74 12.48 7.93 9.82 12.39
1994 7.97 14.45 7.44 6.72 5.41 8.40
1995 8.53 15.39 6.82 4.27 7.20 8.44
1996 14.44 16.36 6.78 9.89 8.22 11.14
1997 17.46 18.07 7.39 7.39 12.17 12.50
1998 11.72 14.15 4.04 5.00 4.80 7.94
1999 9.86 15.22 6.82 9.26 12.20 10.67
2000 13.83 15.84 11.58 10.35 9.00 12.12
2001 7.45 8.93 2.90 2.05 5.71 5.41
2002 13.92 16.16 9.09 8.01 4.25 10.29
2003 15.98 24.14 8.65 10.21 8.52 13.50
2004 to date 19.04 24.21 9.70 13.93 16.41 16.66

 

Weather Averages in the Big Bend

Month

Average Max.
Temperature (°F)

Average Min.
Temperature (°F)

Monthly Precip.
Average (inches)

Year-to-date Precip.
Average (inches)

January

60.9

35.0

.46

.46

February

66.2

37.8

.34

.80

March

77.4

45.3

.31

1.11

April

80.7

52.3

.70

1.81

May

88.0

59.3

1.50

3.31

June

94.2

65.5

1.93

5.24

July

92.9

68.3

2.09

7.33

August

91.1

66.4

2.35

9.68

September

86.4

61.9

2.12

11.80

October

78.8

52.7

2.27

14.07

November

68.5

42.3

.70

14.77

December

62.2

36.4

.57

15.34