Updated October 2026
Missouri National Recreational River Weather by Month
Missouri National Recreational River is warmest in July, when the nearest NOAA climate station averages a high of 85°F and a low of 64°F, and coldest in January, with an average high of 30°F and an average low of 10°F. June is the wettest month, with about 4.3 inches of precipitation. Snowfall is heaviest in February, at about 7.6 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, 6 miles from the park's reference point. A single station cannot describe a whole park: temperatures elsewhere in Missouri National Recreational River can differ from these, particularly with elevation.
Warmest month
Jul
85°F avg high
Coldest month
Jan
10°F avg low
Wettest month
Jun
4.3 in avg
Snowiest month
Feb
7.6 in avg
Longest days
Jun
15.1 h of daylight
Average weather at Missouri by month
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Precipitation | Snowfall | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 30°F | 10°F | 0.6 in | 6.0 in | 9.2 h |
| February | 35°F | 14°F | 0.9 in | 7.6 in | 10.3 h |
| March | 47°F | 24°F | 1.6 in | 5.9 in | 11.7 h |
| April | 59°F | 36°F | 3.6 in | 5.2 in | 13.2 h |
| May | 71°F | 48°F | 4.0 in | 0.3 in | 14.4 h |
| June | 81°F | 59°F | 4.3 in | 0.0 in | 15.1 h |
| July | 85°F | 64°F | 3.3 in | 0.0 in | 14.9 h |
| August | 83°F | 61°F | 3.1 in | 0.0 in | 13.8 h |
| September | 76°F | 53°F | 3.2 in | 0.0 in | 12.3 h |
| October | 62°F | 38°F | 2.6 in | 0.8 in | 10.8 h |
| November | 46°F | 25°F | 1.3 in | 5.3 in | 9.5 h |
| December | 34°F | 14°F | 0.9 in | 7.3 in | 8.9 h |
| Year total | 29.4 in | 38.4 in |
NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals from station USC00252037, 6 miles from the park's reference point. Daylight is the monthly average, computed from the park's latitude. Each month links to how crowded Missouri is at that time of year.
Missouri weather by season
Winter: December to February
Average highs bottom out at 30°F in January, between 34°F in December and 35°F in February, with average lows between 10°F and 14°F. The average low is at or below freezing in all three months. Together the three months average 2.4 inches of precipitation, about 8% of the yearly total and less than in any other season. Snowfall averages about 21 inches for the season. Daylight is at its shortest, about 8.9 hours in December.
Spring: March to May
Average highs climb from 47°F in March to 71°F in May, with average lows between 24°F and 48°F. The average low is at or below freezing in March. Together the three months average 9.2 inches of precipitation, about 31% of the yearly total. Snowfall averages about 11 inches for the season. Daylight lengthens from about 11.7 hours in March to 14.4 in May.
Summer: June to August
Average highs peak at 85°F in July, between 81°F in June and 83°F in August, with average lows between 59°F and 64°F. Together the three months average 10.7 inches of precipitation, about 36% of the yearly total and more than in any other season. Daylight is at its longest, about 15.1 hours in June.
Fall: September to November
Average highs fall from 76°F in September to 46°F in November, with average lows between 25°F and 53°F. The average low is at or below freezing in November. Together the three months average 7.1 inches of precipitation, about 24% of the yearly total. Snowfall averages about 6.1 inches for the season, most of it in November. Daylight shortens from about 12.3 hours in September to 9.5 in November.
What the National Park Service says about the weather
Rapid weather changes are common along the Missouri National Recreational River corridor. Variations from season to season and from year to year are great. Characteristics of the climate are hot summers and cold winters. Sunshine is abundant, particularly in the summer months. Average annual rainfall is 25 inches. Thunderstorms can be dangerous and visitors should be prepared for them, especially from June until late August. Winter snowfall averages 34 inches annually.
Weather description courtesy of the National Park Service — official park site.
Today's forecast for Missouri
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 42.79°N, 97.59°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 Missouri National Recreational River →
Weather and crowds together
July, the warmest month, sees about 1.4× the visitors of the park's average month. September is the busiest month of the year and February the quietest. To see those crowds set against the weather for all twelve months, read the best time to visit Missouri National Recreational River. For hotels, cabins and rentals close to the park, see where to stay near Missouri.
Where to stay near Missouri
Picked a month for Missouri National Recreational River? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Missouri
Prices for Oct 16–18, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Planning a trip to Missouri?
Get crowd forecasts and lodging deals for Missouri by email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently Asked Questions
July is the warmest month at Missouri National Recreational River, with an average high of 85°F and an average low of 64°F. That is the 1991–2020 average at the nearest long-record NOAA station, 6 miles from the park's reference point. Temperatures inside the park can differ, particularly with elevation.
January is the coldest month at Missouri National Recreational River, with an average low of 10°F and an average high of 30°F, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.
June is the wettest month, with about 4.3 inches of precipitation. January is the driest, at about 0.6 inches. The station records about 29.4 inches of precipitation in an average year.
Yes. The nearest long-record NOAA station, 6 miles from the park's reference point, averages about 38 inches of snow a year. February is the snowiest month, at about 7.6 inches. The station averages at least a tenth of an inch of snow in 8 of the 12 months.
Weather at nearby parks
Keep exploring
Sources: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (station USC00252037), daylight computed from latitude, weather description from the National Park Service, crowd levels from National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (2004–2025). Updated 2026-10-11. Lodging results are provided by Stay22; WhenToVisitParks may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.