Grand Canyon weather varies according to elevation. The forested rims are high enough to receive winter snowfall, but along the Colorado River in the Inner Gorge, temperatures are similar to those found in Tucson and other low elevation desert locations in Arizona.  Grand Canyon national park weather regions are generally dry, but substantial precipitation occurs twice annually, during seasonal pattern shifts in winter and in late summer. Average annual precipitation on the South Rim is less than 16 inches (35 cm), with 60 inches (132 cm) of snow, the higher North Rim usually receives 27 inches (59 cm) of moisture, with a typical snowfall of 144 inches (317 cm), and Phantom Ranch, far below the Canyon’s rims along the Colorado River at 2,500 feet (762 m) gets just 8 inches (17.6 cm) of rain, and snow is a rarity.  The weather varies from the north rim and to south rim.

Forecast Grand Canyon South Rim Weather

Grand Canyon Weather

Grand Canyon Temperatures

Below are average temperatures at the Grand Canyon by month and by region. Temperatures vary quite dramatically depending on season and also on altitude.  In general, the Inner Grand Canyon is warmer and can you dangerously warm in the summer if not prepared.  In contrast, the temperatures on the North Rim and South Rim can be quite cold in winter.  Check out our What to Pack for Grand Canyon Vacation page for details on what to bring.

Average Temperatures at the Grand Canyon South Rim

JANFEBMARAPRMAYJUNJULAUGSEPOCTNOVDEC
High (F)414551607081848276655243
Low (F)182125323947545347362720
High (C)571015212729282418116
Low (C)-8-6-4048121282-3-7

Average Temperatures in the Inner Canyon

JANFEBMARAPRMAYJUNJULAUGSEPOCTNOVDEC
High (F)566271829210110610397846857
Low (F)364248566372787569584637
High (C)131722283338413936292014
Low (C)2691317222624211482

Average Temperatures at the Grand Canyon North Rim

JANFEBMARAPRMAYJUNJULAUGSEPOCTNOVDEC
High (F)373944536273777569594640
Low (F)161821293440464539312420
High (C)3471217232524211584
Low (C)-9-8-6-214874-1-4-7

Average Precipitation in inches at Grand Canyon

JANFEBMARAPRMAYJUNJULAUGSEPOCTNOVDEC
South Rim1.321.551.380.930.660.421.812.251.561.10.941.64
Inner Canyon0.680.750.790.470.360.30.841.40.970.650.430.87
North Rim3.173.222.651.731.170.861.932.851.991.381.482.83