Zion National Park sits in southern Utah and experiences wild weather swings that can catch even the most prepared visitors off guard. Temperatures can change by more than 30 degrees between day and night, and elevation shifts just make things even more interesting for anyone trying to plan a trip.
weather patterns
Understanding Zion’s weather isn’t just a nice-to-know—it’s absolutely essential for staying safe and making the most of your visit. Summer can get blisteringly hot, pushing up near 100 degrees, while winter sometimes brings freezing temps and a dusting of snow. Most of the park’s rain and snow falls in winter, so you’ll notice pretty clear wet and dry seasons.
Weather here decides which trails are open, what gear you’ll need, and how much you’ll actually enjoy being outside. July’s canyon floors can feel like an oven, while January might surprise you with snow on the peaks. If you’re planning a Zion adventure, you really have to pay attention to the park’s climate quirks and shifting microclimates.
Overview of Weather Patterns in Zion National Park
Zion’s temperatures swing a lot thanks to the park’s big elevation changes. You can see differences of over 30°F from day to night.
The park gets about 18 inches of precipitation each year, with its own clear wet and dry seasons that shape every visit.
Climatic Zones and Elevation Effects
Elevation splits Zion into climate zones. The canyon floor sits around 4,000 feet, but some areas climb above 8,000 feet.
It’s not unusual to feel a big drop in temperature as you hike up higher. The desert floor stays the warmest, even in winter.
Canyon walls also create their own little weather pockets. Shady spots stay cooler on hot days. South-facing slopes heat up fast.
Elevation Zone Temperature Variations:
- Canyon floor: Warmest
- Mid-elevation: Moderate
- Higher plateaus: Coolest
- Expect temps to drop about 3-5°F with every 1,000 feet you climb
Winds pick up at higher elevations. Canyons below stay a bit calmer, which can be a relief or a trap for heat, depending on the time of year.
Seasonal Variability and Influencing Factors
Zion’s weather is all over the place depending on the time of year. Summer temps can swing from 28°F up to 98°F. Winter gets cold, with lows around 29°F.
Summers are hot and dry, with the canyon floor often baking above 90°F. Thunderstorms can roll in fast during the afternoons.
Winters bring the most moisture. December usually gets about 70mm of rain and snow. Higher up, you might see real snow sticking around.
Spring and fall are the sweet spots. Temperatures are much more comfortable, so hiking feels great. Weather is usually more stable, which is a relief after the chaos of summer and winter.
Zion’s spot in southwestern Utah means it’s got that classic desert climate most of the year. Dry air and low humidity are just the norm.
Average Temperatures Throughout the Year
Zion’s temperatures really do run the gamut—from winter lows near 30°F to summer highs topping 101°F. The desert climate means you can get 30-degree swings between night and day, sometimes more.
Temperature Ranges by Season
Spring starts to warm things up. March hovers between 38°F and 66°F. April jumps to 44°F up to 74°F.
May gets even toastier, with highs up to 85°F. It’s a great time for hiking.
Summer is no joke. June averages 96°F for highs, with nights dropping to 65°F.
July is the hottest—expect 101°F during the day and 69°F at night. August stays steamy, with highs at 98°F.
Fall finally cools things down. September ranges from 60°F to 91°F.
October gets even cooler, and by November, you’ll see lows dip to 37°F.
Winter is the coldest stretch. December through February highs hover between 53°F and 54°F.
At night, it’s often below freezing, especially in January, which can hit 30°F.
Monthly Average Temperatures
| Month | High (°F) | Low (°F) |
|---|---|---|
| January | 54 | 30 |
| February | 59 | 34 |
| March | 66 | 38 |
| April | 74 | 44 |
| May | 85 | 53 |
| June | 96 | 65 |
| July | 101 | 69 |
| August | 98 | 66 |
| September | 91 | 60 |
| October | 79 | 48 |
| November | 63 | 37 |
| December | 53 | 30 |
July stands out as the hottest month, averaging 101°F for highs.
December and January tie for the coldest, both with lows at 30°F.
From June to August, highs stick above 95°F.
December through February, daily highs stay below 60°F.
Temperature Swings: Day vs. Night
Daily temperature swings in Zion can be wild—over 30°F between highs and lows. That’s the desert and elevation at work.
Summer is the most dramatic. July goes from 69°F at night to 101°F during the day—a 32°F jump.
June isn’t far behind, with a 31°F difference between 65°F at night and 96°F by day.
Winter swings are smaller but still noticeable. December ranges from 30°F to 53°F—a 23°F difference.
Spring and fall are somewhere in the middle. April has a 30°F swing, and September is about the same.
You’ll want to pack layers, no matter the season. Mornings and evenings can feel shockingly different from midday.
Weather by Season: What to Expect
Zion cycles through four very distinct seasons, each with their own temperature swings and precipitation patterns. You’ll see hot, dry summers over 100°F, mild and sometimes rainy springs and falls, and cool winters with a shot at snow up high.
Spring Weather Patterns
Spring can’t make up its mind—one day it’s warm, the next it’s chilly.
Average daytime temps hit the mid-50s to high 70s.
Nights cool off fast, dropping to anywhere from 30°F to 50°F.
That’s a 30-degree swing, easy.
Rain is all over the place in spring. Showers are common, especially in March and April.
Up high, you might even see some snow into May.
Weather can flip quickly.
You might get sun, rain, and snow all in one afternoon.
Storms pop up fast, often in the afternoon, sometimes bringing strong winds and heavy bursts of rain.
Spring brings enough rain to keep the wildflowers happy and the waterfalls running.
It’s a great time for photos if you’re willing to gamble with the weather.
Summer Weather and Conditions
Summer in Zion is… intense.
Daytime highs easily break 100°F, especially in July.
The hottest months run from early June to mid-September.
Highs stay above 88°F for weeks at a time.
Nights do cool off a bit, dropping to the 60s and 70s.
Still, the canyon walls hold onto heat and keep things toasty even after dark.
Afternoon thunderstorms are a regular surprise in summer.
They show up fast and can cause dangerous flash floods.
Even with those storms, summer’s pretty dry overall.
Rain doesn’t last long, and the ground dries out quickly between storms.
Humidity stays low, which helps a little.
Still, the sun and reflected heat from the rocks can make hiking pretty rough.
Fall Climate and Patterns
Fall is probably Zion’s most comfortable season.
Daytime temps stick to the 60s and 80s.
Evenings get chilly, dropping into the 40s or 50s.
It’s perfect for camping or just hanging out after sunset.
September can hang onto summer’s heat for a bit.
By October and November, things cool down and you’ll feel winter creeping in.
Rain is moderate in fall.
You’ll see it more often than in summer, but not as much as in spring.
The weather settles down in fall.
There are fewer storms and less wild temperature swings.
Clear skies are common, which is great for photos or stargazing.
But with fewer clouds, nights can feel extra cold.
Winter Weather Characteristics
Winter brings a much quieter vibe to Zion.
Daytime temps usually land between 40°F and 60°F, with December being the chilliest.
Nights often dip below freezing, anywhere from 20°F to 40°F.
Lower elevations don’t usually freeze for long.
Snow mostly sticks to higher elevations above 4,000 feet.
On the canyon floor, snow is rare and doesn’t last.
December is the wettest month, averaging about 70mm of rain or snow over 11 days.
Down low, most of that falls as rain.
Ice can make trails tricky in the mornings, especially in shaded or north-facing spots.
Storms move through more slowly in winter.
You might get a few days of clouds and light rain or snow before things clear up.
Precipitation Patterns and Cloud Cover
Zion gets about 466 mm of precipitation per year, but it’s not spread out evenly.
Cloud cover changes a lot, too—sometimes you get weeks of blue sky, other times it’s just gray and gloomy.
Seasonal Rainfall and Snow
December is the wettest month in Zion.
You’ll see about 70 mm of rain or snow, spread over 11 days.
Winter brings most of the park’s annual precipitation.
Snow shows up at higher elevations, especially during cold snaps.
In December, overnight lows can hit -7°C, so snow can stick around up high.
June is bone dry.
Only about 5.6 mm of rain falls, and it usually happens on just two days the whole month.
Summer in general is parched.
From late spring to early fall, rain is rare and any moisture vanishes quickly in the heat.
Spring and fall are in the middle—more rain than summer, less than winter.
They’re usually more predictable for hiking and exploring.
Cloud Cover Variations by Month
You’ll find the clearest skies from mid-May to early November.
That’s almost six months of mostly sunshine—perfect for hiking or snapping photos.
Winter brings more clouds, especially in December and January.
Storms roll in and can hang around for a few days.
Summer is usually clear, but afternoon thunderstorms can build some dramatic clouds out of nowhere.
It’s a good time to keep an eye on the sky if you’re out in the open.
Elevation messes with cloud cover, too.
You might see clouds at the top of the cliffs while the canyon below stays sunny.
Temperature differences of over 30°F between elevations can really shake up local weather.
Microclimates and Regional Variations
Zion covers 229 square miles and packs in a bunch of different climate zones.
The elevation changes—from 3,666 feet to over 8,700 feet—create all sorts of microclimates.
Weather in Zion Canyon
Zion Canyon sits at the lowest point in the park and is classic desert: hot summers, mild winters.
The narrow walls trap heat in summer, so it can feel even hotter than the forecast says.
Summer on the canyon floor often tops 100°F in July and August.
The red rocks soak up the sun and radiate heat well into the night.
At night, temps drop into the 70s, which feels like relief after a scorching day.
Winter is pretty mild down here compared to the higher spots.
Daytime highs hit 50-60°F, and nights dip to around 30°F.
Snow falls sometimes, but it rarely sticks for long on the canyon floor.
The Virgin River adds its own twist.
Areas right along the river stay a few degrees cooler than the sun-baked rocks nearby.
You’ll notice that difference most in summer, when the river acts like natural air conditioning.
Climate of Kolob Canyons
Kolob Canyons sits in the park’s northwestern corner at elevations between 5,000 and 8,700 feet.
With this elevation, you get cooler air and more precipitation than in Zion Canyon.
Temperature differences between Kolob Canyons and Zion Canyon can jump over 20°F on the same day.
Summer highs usually stick to the 80s instead of soaring into triple digits.
Winter brings more frequent snow and freezing temps that stick around longer.
Precipitation patterns shift a lot from the main canyon.
Kolob Canyons gets more rain and snow, thanks to orographic lifting as storms climb the higher ground.
The finger canyons and high plateaus see their own weather quirks depending on slope and elevation.
North-facing slopes hang onto snow longer, while south-facing areas warm up fast in spring.
Impact of Weather on Visitor Experience
Weather at Zion National Park really shapes what you can see and do.
Temperature swings of more than 30°F between day and night, plus seasonal rain and snow, affect which trails are open and safe all year.
Best Times to Visit for Ideal Conditions
Spring and fall usually offer the most comfortable weather for exploring.
Daytime highs in these seasons hover between 60°F and 80°F.
Spring (March-May) means mild days, cool nights, and wildflowers blooming across the canyon floor.
Rain shows up now and then but rarely ruins outdoor plans.
Fall (September-November) brings crisp mornings and warm afternoons.
Cottonwood trees turn gold along the Virgin River.
Weather stays steady with little rain.
Summer can easily top 100°F down in the canyon.
Many folks find the heat tough for hiking.
If you visit then, early morning or evening is honestly your best bet.
Winter drops snow at higher spots and brings freezing nights.
Daytime temperatures usually reach 50°F to 60°F.
December is the wettest month, with about 70mm of rain and snow over 11 days.
How Weather Affects Outdoor Activities
Zion’s weather patterns play a big role in which trails stay open and safe.
High temps force lots of visitors to shift their hiking plans.
Heat Restrictions: Rangers sometimes close popular trails like Angels Landing when it gets dangerously hot.
The Narrows turns unsafe in summer because the canyon walls reflect so much heat.
Flash Flood Risks: Summer storms can trigger sudden floods in slot canyons.
The Narrows and other water hikes shut down right away when storms roll in.
Winter Limitations: Snow and ice make high-elevation trails like Observation Point risky.
Some backcountry spots are totally off-limits unless you’ve got proper winter gear.
Optimal Activity Windows:
- Summer: Hike before 9 AM or after 4 PM
- Winter: Plan outings between 10 AM and 3 PM
- Spring/Fall: All-day hiking feels comfortable
Preparing for Sudden Weather Changes
Zion National Park throws some wild weather curveballs that can surprise even seasoned hikers. The park’s elevation jumps thousands of feet, so you’ll find totally different climates just a short drive apart.
Essential Gear for All Seasons:
- Bring layers, since temperatures bounce around all day.
- Pack rain gear, because storms pop up out of nowhere.
- Don’t forget hats and sunscreen—the sun here doesn’t mess around.
- If you’re hiking in summer, extra water is a must.
Weather Monitoring: Always check the weather and trail conditions before heading out, especially if you’re venturing into the backcountry. Rangers usually post updates and warnings at the visitor centers.
Emergency Preparedness: In winter, stash some emergency supplies in your pack, because freezing temps can sneak up fast. For summer, I’d recommend throwing in some electrolyte drinks along with your water.
If you hear a flash flood warning, get out of narrow canyons right away. Park staff will use sirens and loudspeakers to let everyone know when storms are rolling in. Seriously, don’t brush off those warnings or try to tough it out in exposed spots—it’s just not worth the risk.