Updated October 2026
Rio Grande Wild & Scenic River Weather by Month
Rio Grande Wild & Scenic River is warmest in July, when the nearest NOAA climate station averages a high of 97°F and a low of 72°F, and coldest in January, with an average high of 62°F and an average low of 37°F. May is the wettest month, with about 1.3 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, 13.2 miles from the park's reference point. A single station cannot describe a whole park: temperatures elsewhere in Rio Grande Wild & Scenic River can differ from these, particularly with elevation.
Warmest month
Jul
97°F avg high
Coldest month
Jan
37°F avg low
Wettest month
May
1.3 in avg
Longest days
Jun
13.9 h of daylight
Average weather at Rio Grande by month
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Precipitation | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 62°F | 37°F | 0.7 in | 10.3 h |
| February | 68°F | 41°F | 0.6 in | 11.0 h |
| March | 76°F | 48°F | 0.6 in | 11.8 h |
| April | 84°F | 56°F | 0.4 in | 12.7 h |
| May | 91°F | 64°F | 1.3 in | 13.5 h |
| June | 95°F | 70°F | 1.2 in | 13.9 h |
| July | 97°F | 72°F | 1.0 in | 13.7 h |
| August | 96°F | 72°F | 1.0 in | 13.1 h |
| September | 89°F | 67°F | 1.1 in | 12.2 h |
| October | 81°F | 57°F | 1.1 in | 11.3 h |
| November | 71°F | 45°F | 0.5 in | 10.5 h |
| December | 62°F | 38°F | 0.4 in | 10.1 h |
| Year total | 9.9 in |
NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals from station USW00003032, 13.2 miles from the park's reference point. Daylight is the monthly average, computed from the park's latitude. Each month links to how crowded Rio Grande is at that time of year.
Rio Grande weather by season
Winter: December to February
Average highs climb from 62°F in December to 68°F in February, with average lows between 37°F and 41°F. Together the three months average 1.7 inches of precipitation, about 17% of the yearly total and less than in any other season. Daylight is at its shortest, about 10.1 hours in December.
Spring: March to May
Average highs climb from 76°F in March to 91°F in May, with average lows between 48°F and 64°F. The average high is 90°F or hotter in May. Together the three months average 2.3 inches of precipitation, about 23% of the yearly total. Daylight lengthens from about 11.8 hours in March to 13.5 in May.
Summer: June to August
Average highs hold near 96°F in all three months, with average lows near 71°F. The average high is 90°F or hotter in all three months. Together the three months average 3.2 inches of precipitation, about 32% of the yearly total and more than in any other season. Daylight is at its longest, about 13.9 hours in June.
Fall: September to November
Average highs fall from 89°F in September to 71°F in November, with average lows between 45°F and 67°F. Together the three months average 2.7 inches of precipitation, about 27% of the yearly total. Daylight shortens from about 12.2 hours in September to 10.5 in November.
What the National Park Service says about the weather
Variable -- February-April: High temperatures range from mid-70sF (23C) to low-90sF (32C) with lows from the mid-30sF (2C) to mid-50sF (12C). Cold fronts can bring freezing weather with rain or snow. -- May-August: Temperatures are hot and the weather can be stormy. Temperatures over 100F (more than 38C) degrees. -- September-January:Temperatures are cooler. The weather can turn cold any time during these months.
Weather description courtesy of the National Park Service — official park site.
Today's forecast for Rio Grande
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 29.88°N, 102.32°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 Rio Grande Wild & Scenic River →
Weather and crowds together
July, the warmest month, sees about 1.1× the visitors of the park's average month. March is the busiest month of the year and August the quietest. To see those crowds set against the weather for all twelve months, read the best time to visit Rio Grande Wild & Scenic River. For hotels, cabins and rentals close to the park, see where to stay near Rio Grande.
Where to stay near Rio Grande
Picked a month for Rio Grande Wild & Scenic River? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Rio Grande
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 Rio Grande?
Get crowd forecasts and lodging deals for Rio Grande by email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently Asked Questions
July is the warmest month at Rio Grande Wild & Scenic River, with an average high of 97°F and an average low of 72°F. That is the 1991–2020 average at the nearest long-record NOAA station, 13.2 miles from the park's reference point. Temperatures inside the park can differ, particularly with elevation.
January is the coldest month at Rio Grande Wild & Scenic River, with an average low of 37°F and an average high of 62°F, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.
May is the wettest month, with about 1.3 inches of precipitation. April and December are the driest, at about 0.4 inches each. The station records about 9.9 inches of precipitation in an average year.
Daylight at Rio Grande Wild & Scenic River runs from about 10.1 hours a day in December to about 13.9 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 USW00003032), daylight computed from latitude, weather description from the National Park Service, crowd levels from National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (1985–2025). Updated 2026-10-11. Lodging results are provided by Stay22; WhenToVisitParks may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.