Updated October 2026
Little River Canyon National Preserve Weather by Month
Little River Canyon National Preserve is warmest in July, when the nearest NOAA climate station averages a high of 91°F and a low of 70°F, and coldest in January, with an average high of 52°F and an average low of 32°F. December is the wettest month, with about 5.6 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, 6.3 miles from the park's reference point. A single station cannot describe a whole park: temperatures elsewhere in Little River Canyon National Preserve can differ from these, particularly with elevation.
Warmest month
Jul
91°F avg high
Coldest month
Jan
32°F avg low
Wettest month
Dec
5.6 in avg
Longest days
Jun
14.3 h of daylight
Average weather at Little River Canyon by month
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Precipitation | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 52°F | 32°F | 5.3 in | 9.9 h |
| February | 57°F | 36°F | 5.4 in | 10.8 h |
| March | 65°F | 42°F | 5.3 in | 11.7 h |
| April | 74°F | 50°F | 5.1 in | 12.9 h |
| May | 81°F | 58°F | 5.0 in | 13.8 h |
| June | 88°F | 67°F | 4.6 in | 14.3 h |
| July | 91°F | 70°F | 5.4 in | 14.1 h |
| August | 90°F | 69°F | 3.9 in | 13.3 h |
| September | 86°F | 64°F | 4.4 in | 12.2 h |
| October | 76°F | 52°F | 3.6 in | 11.1 h |
| November | 64°F | 41°F | 4.5 in | 10.2 h |
| December | 55°F | 35°F | 5.6 in | 9.7 h |
| Year total | 58.1 in |
NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals from station USC00013043, 6.3 miles from the park's reference point. Daylight is the monthly average, computed from the park's latitude. Each month links to how crowded Little River Canyon is at that time of year.
Little River Canyon weather by season
Winter: December to February
Average highs bottom out at 52°F in January, between 55°F in December and 57°F in February, with average lows between 32°F and 36°F. The average low is at or below freezing in January. Together the three months average 16.3 inches of precipitation, about 28% of the yearly total and more than in any other season. Daylight is at its shortest, about 9.7 hours in December.
Spring: March to May
Average highs climb from 65°F in March to 81°F in May, with average lows between 42°F and 58°F. Together the three months average 15.4 inches of precipitation, about 27% of the yearly total. Daylight lengthens from about 11.7 hours in March to 13.8 in May.
Summer: June to August
Average highs peak at 91°F in July, between 88°F in June and 90°F in August, with average lows between 67°F and 70°F. The average high is 90°F or hotter in July and August. Together the three months average 13.9 inches of precipitation, about 24% of the yearly total. Daylight is at its longest, about 14.3 hours in June.
Fall: September to November
Average highs fall from 86°F in September to 64°F in November, with average lows between 41°F and 64°F. Together the three months average 12.5 inches of precipitation, about 22% of the yearly total and less than in any other season. Daylight shortens from about 12.2 hours in September to 10.2 in November.
What the National Park Service says about the weather
The weather in Fort Payne, Alabama is mild. The average temperature in the winter is in the 50's. The average summer temperature is in the high 80's with high humidity. We receive about 55 inches of rain each year. Snowfall varies, but only lasts a few days per event.
Weather description courtesy of the National Park Service — official park site.
Today's forecast for Little River Canyon
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 34.41°N, 85.62°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 Little River Canyon National Preserve →
Weather and crowds together
July is both the warmest month and the busiest, with about 1.6× 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 Little River Canyon National Preserve. For hotels, cabins and rentals close to the park, see where to stay near Little River Canyon.
Where to stay near Little River Canyon
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Top-rated places to stay near Little River Canyon
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 Little River Canyon National Preserve, with an average high of 91°F and an average low of 70°F. That is the 1991–2020 average at the nearest long-record NOAA station, 6.3 miles from the park's reference point. Temperatures inside the park can differ, particularly with elevation.
January is the coldest month at Little River Canyon National Preserve, with an average low of 32°F and an average high of 52°F, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.
December is the wettest month, with about 5.6 inches of precipitation. October is the driest, at about 3.6 inches. The station records about 58.1 inches of precipitation in an average year.
Daylight at Little River Canyon National Preserve 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
40 mi away · warmest in July (88°F)
41 mi away · warmest in July (89°F)
67 mi away · warmest in July (84°F)
81 mi away · warmest in July (89°F)
85 mi away · warmest in July (90°F)
100 mi away · warmest in July (91°F)
Keep exploring
Sources: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (station USC00013043), daylight computed from latitude, weather description from the National Park Service, crowd levels from National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (2003–2025). Updated 2026-10-11. Lodging results are provided by Stay22; WhenToVisitParks may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.