Updated October 2026
Fossil Butte National Monument Weather by Month
Fossil Butte National Monument is warmest in July, when the nearest NOAA climate station averages a high of 83°F and a low of 42°F, and coldest in January, with an average high of 28°F and an average low of 5°F. May is the wettest month, with about 1.5 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, 1.4 miles from the park's reference point. A single station cannot describe a whole park: temperatures elsewhere in Fossil Butte National Monument can differ from these, particularly with elevation.
Warmest month
Jul
83°F avg high
Coldest month
Jan
5°F avg low
Wettest month
May
1.5 in avg
Longest days
Jun
15.0 h of daylight
Average weather at Fossil Butte by month
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Precipitation | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 28°F | 5°F | 0.7 in | 9.3 h |
| February | 31°F | 6°F | 0.8 in | 10.4 h |
| March | 41°F | 16°F | 0.9 in | 11.7 h |
| April | 52°F | 23°F | 1.1 in | 13.1 h |
| May | 63°F | 30°F | 1.5 in | 14.4 h |
| June | 74°F | 35°F | 1.1 in | 15.0 h |
| July | 83°F | 42°F | 0.6 in | 14.8 h |
| August | 82°F | 41°F | 0.9 in | 13.7 h |
| September | 72°F | 32°F | 1.1 in | 12.3 h |
| October | 57°F | 23°F | 1.3 in | 10.8 h |
| November | 40°F | 14°F | 0.9 in | 9.6 h |
| December | 29°F | 5°F | 0.9 in | 9.0 h |
| Year total | 11.8 in |
NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals from station USC00483582, 1.4 miles from the park's reference point. Daylight is the monthly average, computed from the park's latitude. Each month links to how crowded Fossil Butte is at that time of year.
Fossil Butte weather by season
Winter: December to February
Average highs bottom out at 28°F in January, between 29°F in December and 31°F in February, with average lows near 5°F. The average high stays at or below freezing in all three months. Together the three months average 2.4 inches of precipitation, about 20% of the yearly total and less than in any other season. Daylight is at its shortest, about 9.0 hours in December.
Spring: March to May
Average highs climb from 41°F in March to 63°F in May, with average lows between 16°F and 30°F. The average low is at or below freezing in all three months. Together the three months average 3.5 inches of precipitation, about 30% of the yearly total and more than in any other season. Daylight lengthens from about 11.7 hours in March to 14.4 in May.
Summer: June to August
Average highs peak at 83°F in July, between 74°F in June and 82°F in August, with average lows between 35°F and 42°F. Together the three months average 2.6 inches of precipitation, about 22% of the yearly total. Daylight is at its longest, about 15.0 hours in June.
Fall: September to November
Average highs fall from 72°F in September to 40°F in November, with average lows between 14°F and 32°F. The average low is at or below freezing in all three months. Together the three months average 3.3 inches of precipitation, about 28% of the yearly total. Daylight shortens from about 12.3 hours in September to 9.6 in November.
What the National Park Service says about the weather
Expect a variety of weather conditions no matter what time of year you visit. Spring, fall and winter can be very cold with snow and icy conditions. In spring, daytime temperatures usually range from 30 F to 65 F. Summer daytime temperatures range from 60 F to 90 F. Fall daytime temperatures range from 45 F to 70 F. Winter daytime temperatures range from -20 F to 30 F.
Weather description courtesy of the National Park Service — official park site.
Today's forecast for Fossil Butte
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 41.86°N, 110.76°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 Fossil Butte National Monument →
Weather and crowds together
July is both the warmest month and the busiest, with about 2.8× 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 Fossil Butte National Monument. For hotels, cabins and rentals close to the park, see where to stay near Fossil Butte.
Where to stay near Fossil Butte
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Frequently Asked Questions
July is the warmest month at Fossil Butte National Monument, with an average high of 83°F and an average low of 42°F. That is the 1991–2020 average at the nearest long-record NOAA station, 1.4 miles from the park's reference point. Temperatures inside the park can differ, particularly with elevation.
January is the coldest month at Fossil Butte National Monument, with an average low of 5°F and an average high of 28°F, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.
May is the wettest month, with about 1.5 inches of precipitation. July is the driest, at about 0.6 inches. The station records about 11.8 inches of precipitation in an average year.
Daylight at Fossil Butte National Monument runs from about 9.0 hours a day in December to about 15.0 hours in June, computed from the park's latitude.
Weather at nearby parks
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Keep exploring
Sources: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (station USC00483582), 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.