Updated October 2026
Lava Beds National Monument Weather by Month
Lava Beds National Monument is warmest in July, when the nearest NOAA climate station averages a high of 86°F and a low of 53°F, and coldest in December, with an average high of 41°F and an average low of 22°F. February is the wettest month, with about 2.1 inches of precipitation. Snowfall is heaviest in February, at about 9.3 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, 3.3 miles from the park's reference point. A single station cannot describe a whole park: temperatures elsewhere in Lava Beds National Monument can differ from these, particularly with elevation.
Warmest month
Jul
86°F avg high
Coldest month
Dec
22°F avg low
Wettest month
Feb
2.1 in avg
Snowiest month
Feb
9.3 in avg
Longest days
Jun
15.0 h of daylight
Average weather at Lava Beds by month
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Precipitation | Snowfall | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 43°F | 23°F | 1.6 in | 8.7 in | 9.3 h |
| February | 46°F | 25°F | 2.1 in | 9.3 in | 10.4 h |
| March | 52°F | 28°F | 1.9 in | 6.9 in | 11.7 h |
| April | 57°F | 31°F | 1.3 in | 4.0 in | 13.1 h |
| May | 66°F | 38°F | 1.4 in | 1.0 in | 14.4 h |
| June | 76°F | 44°F | 1.0 in | 0.1 in | 15.0 h |
| July | 86°F | 53°F | 0.4 in | 0.0 in | 14.7 h |
| August | 86°F | 51°F | 0.3 in | 0.0 in | 13.7 h |
| September | 78°F | 45°F | 0.4 in | 0.0 in | 12.3 h |
| October | 66°F | 36°F | 0.9 in | 0.3 in | 10.8 h |
| November | 50°F | 27°F | 1.5 in | 5.0 in | 9.6 h |
| December | 41°F | 22°F | 1.5 in | 7.9 in | 9.0 h |
| Year total | 14.3 in | 43.2 in |
NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals from station USC00044838, 3.3 miles from the park's reference point. Daylight is the monthly average, computed from the park's latitude. Each month links to how crowded Lava Beds is at that time of year.
Lava Beds weather by season
Winter: December to February
Average highs climb from 41°F in December to 46°F in February, with average lows between 22°F and 25°F. The average low is at or below freezing in all three months. Together the three months average 5.2 inches of precipitation, about 36% of the yearly total and more than in any other season. Snowfall averages about 26 inches for the season. Daylight is at its shortest, about 9.0 hours in December.
Spring: March to May
Average highs climb from 52°F in March to 66°F in May, with average lows between 28°F and 38°F. The average low is at or below freezing in March and April. Together the three months average 4.6 inches of precipitation, about 32% of the yearly total. Snowfall averages about 12 inches for the season. Daylight lengthens from about 11.7 hours in March to 14.4 in May.
Summer: June to August
Average highs climb from 76°F in June to 86°F in August, with average lows between 44°F and 53°F. Together the three months average 1.7 inches of precipitation, about 12% of the yearly total and less than in any other season. Snowfall averages about 0.1 inches for the season. Daylight is at its longest, about 15.0 hours in June.
Fall: September to November
Average highs fall from 78°F in September to 50°F in November, with average lows between 27°F and 45°F. The average low is at or below freezing in November. Together the three months average 2.8 inches of precipitation, about 20% of the yearly total. Snowfall averages about 5.3 inches for the season, most of it in November. Daylight shortens from about 12.3 hours in September to 9.6 in November.
What the National Park Service says about the weather
Park elevations range from 4,000 to 5,700 feet. Cold weather is possible any time of year, and snow has been recorded in all months. Winter daytime highs average 40°F; lows average 20°F. Morning fog is frequent from autumn through spring. Summer daytime highs average 75° to 80°F; lows average 50°F. Occasional thunderstorms occur in summer.
Weather description courtesy of the National Park Service — official park site.
Today's forecast for Lava Beds
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 41.76°N, 121.52°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 Lava Beds National Monument →
Weather and crowds together
July is both the warmest month and the busiest, with about 2.3× 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 Lava Beds National Monument. For hotels, cabins and rentals close to the park, see where to stay near Lava Beds.
Where to stay near Lava Beds
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Frequently Asked Questions
July is the warmest month at Lava Beds National Monument, with an average high of 86°F and an average low of 53°F. That is the 1991–2020 average at the nearest long-record NOAA station, 3.3 miles from the park's reference point. Temperatures inside the park can differ, particularly with elevation.
December is the coldest month at Lava Beds National Monument, with an average low of 22°F and an average high of 41°F, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.
February is the wettest month, with about 2.1 inches of precipitation. August is the driest, at about 0.3 inches. The station records about 14.3 inches of precipitation in an average year.
Yes. The nearest long-record NOAA station, 3.3 miles from the park's reference point, averages about 43 inches of snow a year. February is the snowiest month, at about 9.3 inches. The station averages at least a tenth of an inch of snow in 9 of the 12 months.
Weather at nearby parks
12 mi away · warmest in July (86°F)
87 mi away · warmest in August (69°F)
88 mi away · warmest in July (79°F)
97 mi away · warmest in July (96°F)
100 mi away · warmest in July (94°F)
133 mi away · warmest in September (69°F)
Keep exploring
Sources: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (station USC00044838), 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.