Updated October 2026
Niobrara National Scenic River Weather by Month
Niobrara National Scenic River is warmest in July, when the nearest NOAA climate station averages a high of 88°F and a low of 60°F, and coldest in January, with an average high of 34°F and an average low of 9°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, 7.8 miles from the park's reference point. A single station cannot describe a whole park: temperatures elsewhere in Niobrara National Scenic River can differ from these, particularly with elevation.
Warmest month
Jul
88°F avg high
Coldest month
Jan
9°F avg low
Longest days
Jun
15.1 h of daylight
Average weather at Niobrara by month
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 34°F | 9°F | 9.2 h |
| February | 37°F | 12°F | 10.3 h |
| March | 49°F | 21°F | 11.7 h |
| April | 59°F | 31°F | 13.2 h |
| May | 70°F | 43°F | 14.4 h |
| June | 81°F | 54°F | 15.1 h |
| July | 88°F | 60°F | 14.9 h |
| August | 86°F | 57°F | 13.8 h |
| September | 78°F | 48°F | 12.3 h |
| October | 63°F | 34°F | 10.8 h |
| November | 48°F | 22°F | 9.5 h |
| December | 36°F | 12°F | 8.9 h |
NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals from station USC00258090, 7.8 miles from the park's reference point. Daylight is the monthly average, computed from the park's latitude. Each month links to how crowded Niobrara is at that time of year.
Niobrara weather by season
Winter: December to February
Average highs bottom out at 34°F in January, between 36°F in December and 37°F in February, with average lows between 9°F and 12°F. The average low is at or below freezing in all three months. Daylight is at its shortest, about 8.9 hours in December.
Spring: March to May
Average highs climb from 49°F in March to 70°F in May, with average lows between 21°F and 43°F. The average low is at or below freezing in March and April. Daylight lengthens from about 11.7 hours in March to 14.4 in May.
Summer: June to August
Average highs peak at 88°F in July, between 81°F in June and 86°F in August, with average lows between 54°F and 60°F. Daylight is at its longest, about 15.1 hours in June.
Fall: September to November
Average highs fall from 78°F in September to 48°F in November, with average lows between 22°F and 48°F. The average low is at or below freezing 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
Summer (June-August): highs - low 80s to low 100s; lows - 50s to 60s, with occasional thunderstorms and associated strong winds. Moderate dry winds are common in the summer. 8.3" is average summer rainfall. Winter (November-April): Average highs 20-30s, average lows 0-10s with 5.5"/month average snowfall. Spring (April/May) and Fall (September/October) have cooler temperatures: average highs 60-70s, average lows 30-40s with 7.3" average rain/snowfall.
Weather description courtesy of the National Park Service — official park site.
Today's forecast for Niobrara
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, 99.92°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 Niobrara National Scenic River →
Weather and crowds together
July is both the warmest month and the busiest, with about 4.0× the visitors of the park's average month. December is the quietest. To see those crowds set against the weather for all twelve months, read the best time to visit Niobrara National Scenic River. For hotels, cabins and rentals close to the park, see where to stay near Niobrara.
Where to stay near Niobrara
Picked a month for Niobrara National Scenic River? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Niobrara
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Frequently Asked Questions
July is the warmest month at Niobrara National Scenic River, with an average high of 88°F and an average low of 60°F. That is the 1991–2020 average at the nearest long-record NOAA station, 7.8 miles from the park's reference point. Temperatures inside the park can differ, particularly with elevation.
January is the coldest month at Niobrara National Scenic River, with an average low of 9°F and an average high of 34°F, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.
Daylight at Niobrara National Scenic River runs from about 8.9 hours a day in December to about 15.1 hours in June, computed from the park's latitude.
Weather at nearby parks
Keep exploring
Sources: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (station USC00258090), 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.