Updated October 2026
Ozark National Scenic Riverways Weather by Month
Ozark National Scenic Riverways is warmest in July, when the nearest NOAA climate station averages a high of 92°F and a low of 65°F, and coldest in January, with an average high of 45°F and an average low of 21°F. May is the wettest month, with about 5.6 inches of precipitation. Snowfall is heaviest in January, at about 2.3 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, 5.5 miles from the park's reference point. A single station cannot describe a whole park: temperatures elsewhere in Ozark National Scenic Riverways can differ from these, particularly with elevation.
Warmest month
Jul
92°F avg high
Coldest month
Jan
21°F avg low
Wettest month
May
5.6 in avg
Snowiest month
Jan
2.3 in avg
Longest days
Jun
14.5 h of daylight
Average weather at Ozark by month
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Precipitation | Snowfall | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 45°F | 21°F | 2.8 in | 2.3 in | 9.7 h |
| February | 51°F | 24°F | 2.9 in | 1.9 in | 10.6 h |
| March | 61°F | 32°F | 4.5 in | 1.3 in | 11.7 h |
| April | 71°F | 42°F | 5.3 in | 0.0 in | 13.0 h |
| May | 80°F | 54°F | 5.6 in | 0.0 in | 14.0 h |
| June | 87°F | 62°F | 4.0 in | 0.0 in | 14.5 h |
| July | 92°F | 65°F | 4.1 in | 0.0 in | 14.3 h |
| August | 91°F | 64°F | 3.8 in | 0.0 in | 13.4 h |
| September | 83°F | 56°F | 3.8 in | 0.0 in | 12.2 h |
| October | 73°F | 42°F | 3.4 in | 0.0 in | 11.0 h |
| November | 60°F | 32°F | 3.9 in | 0.1 in | 10.0 h |
| December | 48°F | 24°F | 3.3 in | 0.4 in | 9.5 h |
| Year total | 47.4 in | 6.0 in |
NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals from station USC00232619, 5.5 miles from the park's reference point. Daylight is the monthly average, computed from the park's latitude. Each month links to how crowded Ozark is at that time of year.
Ozark weather by season
Winter: December to February
Average highs bottom out at 45°F in January, between 48°F in December and 51°F in February, with average lows between 21°F and 24°F. The average low is at or below freezing in all three months. Together the three months average 9 inches of precipitation, about 19% of the yearly total and less than in any other season. Snowfall averages about 4.6 inches for the season. Daylight is at its shortest, about 9.5 hours in December.
Spring: March to May
Average highs climb from 61°F in March to 80°F in May, with average lows between 32°F and 54°F. The average low is at or below freezing in March. Together the three months average 15.4 inches of precipitation, about 32% of the yearly total and more than in any other season. Snowfall averages about 1.3 inches for the season, most of it in March. Daylight lengthens from about 11.7 hours in March to 14.0 in May.
Summer: June to August
Average highs peak at 92°F in July, between 87°F in June and 91°F in August, with average lows between 62°F and 65°F. The average high is 90°F or hotter in July and August. Together the three months average 11.9 inches of precipitation, about 25% of the yearly total. Daylight is at its longest, about 14.5 hours in June.
Fall: September to November
Average highs fall from 83°F in September to 60°F in November, with average lows between 32°F and 56°F. The average low is at or below freezing in November. Together the three months average 11.1 inches of precipitation, about 23% of the yearly total. Snowfall averages about 0.1 inches for the season. Daylight shortens from about 12.2 hours in September to 10.0 in November.
What the National Park Service says about the weather
Ozark National Scenic Riverways is located in southeastern Missouri. Summer temperatures generally range from 75-100 degrees (°F) with high humidity. Winter temperatures generally range from 0-50 (°F) degrees with periods of intermittent freezing and snow. Periods of excessive heat are typical in summer, while heavy rains or flooding can occur throughout the year. Be sure to plan accordingly when camping, hiking, or floating.
Weather description courtesy of the National Park Service — official park site.
Today's forecast for Ozark
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 37.14°N, 91.26°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 Ozark National Scenic Riverways →
Weather and crowds together
July is both the warmest month and the busiest, with about 2.6× 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 Ozark National Scenic Riverways. For hotels, cabins and rentals close to the park, see where to stay near Ozark.
Where to stay near Ozark
Picked a month for Ozark National Scenic Riverways? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Ozark
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 Ozark National Scenic Riverways, with an average high of 92°F and an average low of 65°F. That is the 1991–2020 average at the nearest long-record NOAA station, 5.5 miles from the park's reference point. Temperatures inside the park can differ, particularly with elevation.
January is the coldest month at Ozark National Scenic Riverways, with an average low of 21°F and an average high of 45°F, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.
May is the wettest month, with about 5.6 inches of precipitation. January is the driest, at about 2.8 inches. The station records about 47.4 inches of precipitation in an average year.
Yes. The nearest long-record NOAA station, 5.5 miles from the park's reference point, averages about 6 inches of snow a year. January is the snowiest month, at about 2.3 inches. The station averages at least a tenth of an inch of snow in 5 of the 12 months.
Weather at nearby parks
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Keep exploring
Sources: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (station USC00232619), 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.