Updated October 2026
Buffalo National River Weather by Month
Buffalo National River is warmest in July, when the nearest NOAA climate station averages a high of 90°F and a low of 67°F, and coldest in January, with an average high of 48°F and an average low of 24°F. May is the wettest month, with about 5.3 inches of precipitation. Snowfall is heaviest in January, at about 1.6 inches.
These figures are NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals, the 30-year average for each calendar month, from the nearest long-record weather station, 11.3 miles from the park's reference point. A single station cannot describe a whole park: temperatures elsewhere in Buffalo National River can differ from these, particularly with elevation.
Warmest month
Jul
90°F avg high
Coldest month
Jan
24°F avg low
Wettest month
May
5.3 in avg
Snowiest month
Jan
1.6 in avg
Longest days
Jun
14.4 h of daylight
Average weather at Buffalo by month
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Precipitation | Snowfall | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 48°F | 24°F | 3.2 in | 1.6 in | 9.8 h |
| February | 53°F | 28°F | 3.3 in | 0.6 in | 10.7 h |
| March | 61°F | 36°F | 4.7 in | 1.3 in | 11.7 h |
| April | 70°F | 45°F | 5.1 in | 0.0 in | 12.9 h |
| May | 77°F | 55°F | 5.3 in | 0.0 in | 13.9 h |
| June | 85°F | 64°F | 4.2 in | 0.0 in | 14.4 h |
| July | 90°F | 67°F | 3.4 in | 0.0 in | 14.2 h |
| August | 90°F | 65°F | 3.0 in | 0.0 in | 13.4 h |
| September | 83°F | 57°F | 3.9 in | 0.0 in | 12.2 h |
| October | 73°F | 45°F | 3.8 in | 0.0 in | 11.1 h |
| November | 60°F | 35°F | 4.5 in | 0.0 in | 10.0 h |
| December | 51°F | 27°F | 3.6 in | 0.9 in | 9.6 h |
| Year total | 48.0 in | 4.4 in |
NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals from station USC00032794, 11.3 miles from the park's reference point. Daylight is the monthly average, computed from the park's latitude. Each month links to how crowded Buffalo is at that time of year.
Buffalo weather by season
Winter: December to February
Average highs bottom out at 48°F in January, between 51°F in December and 53°F in February, with average lows between 24°F and 28°F. The average low is at or below freezing in all three months. Together the three months average 10.1 inches of precipitation, about 21% of the yearly total and less than in any other season. Snowfall averages about 3.1 inches for the season. Daylight is at its shortest, about 9.6 hours in December.
Spring: March to May
Average highs climb from 61°F in March to 77°F in May, with average lows between 36°F and 55°F. Together the three months average 15.1 inches of precipitation, about 31% of the yearly total and more than in any other season. Snowfall averages about 1.3 inches for the season, most of it in March. Daylight lengthens from about 11.7 hours in March to 13.9 in May.
Summer: June to August
Average highs climb from 85°F in June to 90°F in August, with average lows between 64°F and 67°F. The average high is 90°F or hotter in July and August. Together the three months average 10.6 inches of precipitation, about 22% of the yearly total. Daylight is at its longest, about 14.4 hours in June.
Fall: September to November
Average highs fall from 83°F in September to 60°F in November, with average lows between 35°F and 57°F. Together the three months average 12.2 inches of precipitation, about 25% of the yearly total. Daylight shortens from about 12.2 hours in September to 10.0 in November.
What the National Park Service says about the weather
Summer in the Ozarks can be very hot and humid. Please check the weather forecast prior to your arrival and plan accordingly. The weather the rest of the year has the potential to be wet and cool or dry and warm. Please pay special attention to river levels and the rain forecast when planning a trip on the river. River levels can rise dramatically in a short period of time so please be aware of conditions.
Weather description courtesy of the National Park Service — official park site.
Today's forecast for Buffalo
Averages describe a typical month, not this week. For current conditions and the seven-day outlook, the National Weather Service issues a forecast for the park's reference point at 36.04°N, 92.91°W. It covers that one spot, so other elevations in the park can differ from it, as they do from the averages above.
National Weather Service forecast for Buffalo National River →
Weather and crowds together
July, the warmest month, sees about 2.0× the visitors of the park's average month. June is the busiest month of the year and January the quietest. To see those crowds set against the weather for all twelve months, read the best time to visit Buffalo National River. For hotels, cabins and rentals close to the park, see where to stay near Buffalo.
Where to stay near Buffalo
Picked a month for Buffalo National River? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Buffalo
Prices for Oct 16–18, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
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Frequently Asked Questions
July is the warmest month at Buffalo National River, with an average high of 90°F and an average low of 67°F. That is the 1991–2020 average at the nearest long-record NOAA station, 11.3 miles from the park's reference point. Temperatures inside the park can differ, particularly with elevation.
January is the coldest month at Buffalo National River, with an average low of 24°F and an average high of 48°F, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.
May is the wettest month, with about 5.3 inches of precipitation. August is the driest, at about 3 inches. The station records about 48 inches of precipitation in an average year.
Yes. The nearest long-record NOAA station, 11.3 miles from the park's reference point, averages about 4.4 inches of snow a year. January is the snowiest month, at about 1.6 inches. The station averages at least a tenth of an inch of snow in 4 of the 12 months.
Weather at nearby parks
69 mi away · warmest in August (88°F)
78 mi away · warmest in July (88°F)
96 mi away · warmest in July (92°F)
97 mi away · warmest in July (94°F)
104 mi away · warmest in August (90°F)
105 mi away · warmest in July (93°F)
Keep exploring
Sources: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (station USC00032794), daylight computed from latitude, weather description from the National Park Service, crowd levels from National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (1979–2025). Updated 2026-10-11. Lodging results are provided by Stay22; WhenToVisitParks may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.