Updated October 2026
Petrified Forest National Park Weather by Month
Petrified Forest National Park is warmest in July, when the nearest NOAA climate station averages a high of 92°F and a low of 60°F, and coldest in December, with an average high of 47°F and an average low of 22°F. August is the wettest month, with about 1.7 inches of precipitation. Snowfall is heaviest in January, at about 0.7 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, 5.8 miles from the park's reference point. A single station cannot describe a whole park: temperatures elsewhere in Petrified Forest National Park can differ from these, particularly with elevation.
Warmest month
Jul
92°F avg high
Coldest month
Dec
22°F avg low
Wettest month
Aug
1.7 in avg
Snowiest month
Jan
0.7 in avg
Longest days
Jun
14.3 h of daylight
Average weather at Petrified Forest by month
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Precipitation | Snowfall | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 48°F | 22°F | 0.9 in | 0.7 in | 9.9 h |
| February | 53°F | 25°F | 0.7 in | 0.1 in | 10.7 h |
| March | 61°F | 30°F | 0.7 in | 0.2 in | 11.7 h |
| April | 68°F | 35°F | 0.4 in | 0.2 in | 12.9 h |
| May | 78°F | 44°F | 0.5 in | 0.0 in | 13.8 h |
| June | 89°F | 53°F | 0.3 in | 0.0 in | 14.3 h |
| July | 92°F | 60°F | 1.4 in | 0.0 in | 14.1 h |
| August | 88°F | 58°F | 1.7 in | 0.0 in | 13.3 h |
| September | 82°F | 51°F | 1.1 in | 0.0 in | 12.2 h |
| October | 71°F | 40°F | 1.0 in | 0.0 in | 11.1 h |
| November | 58°F | 28°F | 0.6 in | 0.3 in | 10.1 h |
| December | 47°F | 22°F | 0.8 in | 0.1 in | 9.7 h |
| Year total | 10.1 in | 1.6 in |
NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals from station USC00026190, 5.8 miles from the park's reference point. Daylight is the monthly average, computed from the park's latitude. Each month links to how crowded Petrified Forest is at that time of year.
Petrified Forest weather by season
Winter: December to February
Average highs climb from 47°F in December to 53°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 2.4 inches of precipitation, about 24% of the yearly total. Snowfall averages about 0.9 inches for the season. Daylight is at its shortest, about 9.7 hours in December.
Spring: March to May
Average highs climb from 61°F in March to 78°F in May, with average lows between 30°F and 44°F. The average low is at or below freezing in March. Together the three months average 1.6 inches of precipitation, about 16% of the yearly total and less than in any other season. Snowfall averages about 0.4 inches for the season. Daylight lengthens from about 11.7 hours in March to 13.8 in May.
Summer: June to August
Average highs peak at 92°F in July, between 89°F in June and 88°F in August, with average lows between 53°F and 60°F. The average high is 90°F or hotter in July. Together the three months average 3.4 inches of precipitation, about 34% of the yearly total and more than in any other season. Daylight is at its longest, about 14.3 hours in June.
Fall: September to November
Average highs fall from 82°F in September to 58°F in November, with average lows between 28°F and 51°F. The average low is at or below freezing in November. Together the three months average 2.7 inches of precipitation, about 27% of the yearly total. Snowfall averages about 0.3 inches for the season. Daylight shortens from about 12.2 hours in September to 10.1 in November.
What the National Park Service says about the weather
Petrified Forest National Park is a semi-arid grassland. Temperatures range from above 100° F (38° C) to well below freezing. About 10 inches (25.4 cm) of moisture comes during infrequent snow in the winter and often dramatic summer thunder-storms. Animals and plants are adapted to extremes in temperature and moisture. You should be ready too. Check out the forecast before you arrive and plan accordingly.
Weather description courtesy of the National Park Service — official park site.
Today's forecast for Petrified Forest
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 34.98°N, 109.79°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 Petrified Forest National Park →
Weather and crowds together
July, the warmest month, sees about 1.6× the visitors of the park's average month. June is the busiest month of the year and January the quietest. To see those crowds set against the weather for all twelve months, read the best time to visit Petrified Forest National Park. For hotels, cabins and rentals close to the park, see where to stay near Petrified Forest.
Where to stay near Petrified Forest
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Top-rated places to stay near Petrified Forest
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 Petrified Forest National Park, with an average high of 92°F and an average low of 60°F. That is the 1991–2020 average at the nearest long-record NOAA station, 5.8 miles from the park's reference point. Temperatures inside the park can differ, particularly with elevation.
December is the coldest month at Petrified Forest National Park, with an average low of 22°F and an average high of 47°F, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.
August is the wettest month, with about 1.7 inches of precipitation. June is the driest, at about 0.3 inches. The station records about 10.1 inches of precipitation in an average year.
Yes. The nearest long-record NOAA station, 5.8 miles from the park's reference point, averages about 1.6 inches of snow a year. January is the snowiest month, at about 0.7 inches. The station averages at least a tenth of an inch of snow in 6 of the 12 months.
Weather at nearby parks
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Keep exploring
Sources: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (station USC00026190), 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.