Updated October 2026
El Malpais National Monument Weather by Month
El Malpais National Monument is warmest in July, when the nearest NOAA climate station averages a high of 88°F and a low of 54°F, and coldest in December, with an average high of 47°F and an average low of 13°F.
These figures are NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals, the 30-year average for each calendar month, from the nearest long-record weather station, 20.1 miles from the park's reference point. A single station cannot describe a whole park: temperatures elsewhere in El Malpais National Monument can differ from these, particularly with elevation.
Warmest month
Jul
88°F avg high
Coldest month
Dec
13°F avg low
Longest days
Jun
14.3 h of daylight
Average weather at El Malpais by month
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 47°F | 15°F | 9.9 h |
| February | 52°F | 19°F | 10.7 h |
| March | 60°F | 23°F | 11.7 h |
| April | 67°F | 30°F | 12.9 h |
| May | 76°F | 37°F | 13.8 h |
| June | 87°F | 47°F | 14.3 h |
| July | 88°F | 54°F | 14.1 h |
| August | 86°F | 52°F | 13.3 h |
| September | 80°F | 44°F | 12.2 h |
| October | 69°F | 32°F | 11.1 h |
| November | 57°F | 21°F | 10.1 h |
| December | 47°F | 13°F | 9.7 h |
NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals from station USW00093057, 20.1 miles from the park's reference point. Daylight is the monthly average, computed from the park's latitude. Each month links to how crowded El Malpais is at that time of year.
El Malpais weather by season
Winter: December to February
Average highs climb from 47°F in December to 52°F in February, with average lows between 13°F and 19°F. The average low is at or below freezing in all three months. Daylight is at its shortest, about 9.7 hours in December.
Spring: March to May
Average highs climb from 60°F in March to 76°F in May, with average lows between 23°F and 37°F. The average low is at or below freezing in March and April. Daylight lengthens from about 11.7 hours in March to 13.8 in May.
Summer: June to August
Average highs hold near 87°F in all three months, with average lows between 47°F and 54°F. Daylight is at its longest, about 14.3 hours in June.
Fall: September to November
Average highs fall from 80°F in September to 57°F in November, with average lows between 21°F and 44°F. The average low is at or below freezing in October and November. Daylight shortens from about 12.2 hours in September to 10.1 in November.
What the National Park Service says about the weather
As a general rule, daily temperatures swing roughly 30 (F) from night lows to afternoon highs. Summer is sunny and hot with monsoon rain storms and an average high of 80 (F). Winter is cool, sunny, with potential snow storms and an average high of 45 (F). Spring and fall are generally dry with the occasional storm rain and/or snow storm. For more information on weather and current weather conditions visit https://www.nps.gov/elma/planyourvisit/weather.htm
Weather description courtesy of the National Park Service — official park site.
Today's forecast for El Malpais
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 34.88°N, 108.00°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 El Malpais National Monument →
Weather and crowds together
July, the warmest month, sees about 1.2× the visitors of the park's average month. May 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 El Malpais National Monument. For hotels, cabins and rentals close to the park, see where to stay near El Malpais.
Where to stay near El Malpais
Picked a month for El Malpais National Monument? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near El Malpais
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 El Malpais National Monument, with an average high of 88°F and an average low of 54°F. That is the 1991–2020 average at the nearest long-record NOAA station, 20.1 miles from the park's reference point. Temperatures inside the park can differ, particularly with elevation.
December is the coldest month at El Malpais National Monument, with an average low of 13°F and an average high of 47°F, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.
Daylight at El Malpais National Monument runs from about 9.7 hours a day in December to about 14.3 hours in June, computed from the park's latitude.
Weather at nearby parks
23 mi away · warmest in July (85°F)
73 mi away · warmest in July (93°F)
80 mi away · warmest in July (90°F)
102 mi away · warmest in July (92°F)
105 mi away · warmest in July (89°F)
108 mi away · warmest in July (88°F)
Keep exploring
Sources: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (station USW00093057), daylight computed from latitude, weather description from the National Park Service, crowd levels from National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (1988–2025). Updated 2026-10-11. Lodging results are provided by Stay22; WhenToVisitParks may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.