Updated October 2026
Denali National Park & Preserve Weather by Month
Denali National Park & Preserve is warmest in July, when the nearest NOAA climate station averages a high of 64°F and a low of 47°F, and coldest in December, with an average high of 15°F and an average low of -6°F. July is the wettest month, with about 5.1 inches of precipitation.
These figures are NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals, the 30-year average for each calendar month, from the nearest long-record weather station, 12 miles from the park's reference point. A single station cannot describe a whole park: temperatures elsewhere in Denali National Park & Preserve can differ from these, particularly with elevation.
Warmest month
Jul
64°F avg high
Coldest month
Dec
-6°F avg low
Wettest month
Jul
5.1 in avg
Longest days
Jun
19.9 h of daylight
Average weather at Denali by month
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Precipitation | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 14°F | -5°F | 0.8 in | 5.2 h |
| February | 25°F | 5°F | 0.7 in | 8.3 h |
| March | 22°F | 3°F | 1.2 in | 11.3 h |
| April | 38°F | 20°F | 1.1 in | 14.6 h |
| May | 54°F | 33°F | 2.0 in | 17.7 h |
| June | 63°F | 44°F | 2.9 in | 19.9 h |
| July | 64°F | 47°F | 5.1 in | 18.9 h |
| August | 60°F | 43°F | 3.9 in | 15.9 h |
| September | 50°F | 33°F | 2.2 in | 12.6 h |
| October | 32°F | 18°F | 1.5 in | 9.4 h |
| November | 20°F | 2°F | 1.0 in | 6.2 h |
| December | 15°F | -6°F | 1.2 in | 4.1 h |
| Year total | 23.6 in |
NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals from station USW00096408, 12 miles from the park's reference point. Daylight is the monthly average, computed from the park's latitude. Each month links to how crowded Denali is at that time of year.
Denali weather by season
Winter: December to February
Average highs bottom out at 14°F in January, between 15°F in December and 25°F in February, with average lows between -6°F and 5°F. The average high stays at or below freezing in all three months. Together the three months average 2.7 inches of precipitation, about 11% of the yearly total and less than in any other season. Daylight is at its shortest, about 4.1 hours in December.
Spring: March to May
Average highs climb from 22°F in March to 54°F in May, with average lows between 3°F and 33°F. The average low is at or below freezing in March and April. Together the three months average 4.3 inches of precipitation, about 18% of the yearly total. Daylight lengthens from about 11.3 hours in March to 17.7 in May.
Summer: June to August
Average highs peak at 64°F in July, between 63°F in June and 60°F in August, with average lows between 43°F and 47°F. Together the three months average 11.9 inches of precipitation, about 50% of the yearly total and more than in any other season. Daylight is at its longest, about 19.9 hours in June.
Fall: September to November
Average highs fall from 50°F in September to 20°F in November, with average lows between 2°F and 33°F. The average low is at or below freezing in October and November. Together the three months average 4.7 inches of precipitation, about 20% of the yearly total. Daylight shortens from about 12.6 hours in September to 6.2 in November.
What the National Park Service says about the weather
Summer is typically cool and wet, with highs typically in the upper 50s to low 60s, and lows in the 40s. On occasion, summer highs reach the low 80s, though this is rare. Snow can fall any month of the year, so be prepared for chilly weather even in summer. Fall colors emerge on the alpine tundra in August and in the low valleys in early September. Winter generally starts in mid-September, with temps often getting down to -40 by January. Spring is a short season in April / May, with highs above freezing.
Weather description courtesy of the National Park Service — official park site.
Today's forecast for Denali
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 63.30°N, 151.05°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 Denali National Park & Preserve →
Weather and crowds together
July is both the warmest month and the busiest, with about 3.3× the visitors of the park's average month. January is the quietest. To see those crowds set against the weather for all twelve months, read the best time to visit Denali National Park & Preserve. For hotels, cabins and rentals close to the park, see where to stay near Denali.
Where to stay near Denali
Picked a month for Denali National Park & Preserve? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Denali
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 Denali National Park & Preserve, with an average high of 64°F and an average low of 47°F. That is the 1991–2020 average at the nearest long-record NOAA station, 12 miles from the park's reference point. Temperatures inside the park can differ, particularly with elevation.
December is the coldest month at Denali National Park & Preserve, with an average low of -6°F and an average high of 15°F, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.
July is the wettest month, with about 5.1 inches of precipitation. February is the driest, at about 0.7 inches. The station records about 23.6 inches of precipitation in an average year.
Daylight at Denali National Park & Preserve runs from about 4.1 hours a day in December to about 19.9 hours in June, computed from the park's latitude.
Keep exploring
Sources: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (station USW00096408), 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.