Updated October 2026
Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument Weather by Month
Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument is warmest in July, when the nearest NOAA climate station averages a high of 84°F and a low of 49°F, and coldest in December, with an average high of 44°F and an average low of 12°F. August is the wettest month, with about 3.5 inches of precipitation. Snowfall is heaviest in January, at about 12 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, 1.9 miles from the park's reference point. A single station cannot describe a whole park: temperatures elsewhere in Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument can differ from these, particularly with elevation.
Warmest month
Jul
84°F avg high
Coldest month
Dec
12°F avg low
Wettest month
Aug
3.5 in avg
Snowiest month
Jan
12.2 in avg
Longest days
Jun
14.4 h of daylight
Average weather at Sunset Crater Volcano by month
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Precipitation | Snowfall | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 44°F | 13°F | 1.4 in | 12.2 in | 9.9 h |
| February | 47°F | 16°F | 1.1 in | 9.4 in | 10.7 h |
| March | 54°F | 21°F | 1.1 in | 6.1 in | 11.7 h |
| April | 61°F | 27°F | 0.7 in | 4.2 in | 12.9 h |
| May | 70°F | 34°F | 0.7 in | 0.8 in | 13.9 h |
| June | 82°F | 42°F | 0.3 in | 0.0 in | 14.4 h |
| July | 84°F | 49°F | 2.7 in | 0.0 in | 14.2 h |
| August | 81°F | 47°F | 3.5 in | 0.0 in | 13.3 h |
| September | 75°F | 40°F | 1.7 in | 0.0 in | 12.2 h |
| October | 65°F | 28°F | 1.4 in | 1.2 in | 11.1 h |
| November | 53°F | 18°F | 0.9 in | 3.5 in | 10.1 h |
| December | 44°F | 12°F | 1.7 in | 11.9 in | 9.6 h |
| Year total | 17.2 in | 49.3 in |
NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals from station USC00028329, 1.9 miles from the park's reference point. Daylight is the monthly average, computed from the park's latitude. Each month links to how crowded Sunset Crater Volcano is at that time of year.
Sunset Crater Volcano weather by season
Winter: December to February
Average highs climb from 44°F in December to 47°F in February, with average lows between 12°F and 16°F. The average low is at or below freezing in all three months. Together the three months average 4.2 inches of precipitation, about 24% of the yearly total. Snowfall averages about 34 inches for the season. Daylight is at its shortest, about 9.6 hours in December.
Spring: March to May
Average highs climb from 54°F in March to 70°F in May, with average lows between 21°F and 34°F. The average low is at or below freezing in March and April. Together the three months average 2.5 inches of precipitation, about 15% of the yearly total and less than in any other season. Snowfall averages about 11 inches for the season. Daylight lengthens from about 11.7 hours in March to 13.9 in May.
Summer: June to August
Average highs peak at 84°F in July, between 82°F in June and 81°F in August, with average lows between 42°F and 49°F. Together the three months average 6.5 inches of precipitation, about 38% of the yearly total and more than in any other season. Daylight is at its longest, about 14.4 hours in June.
Fall: September to November
Average highs fall from 75°F in September to 53°F in November, with average lows between 18°F and 40°F. The average low is at or below freezing in October and November. Together the three months average 4 inches of precipitation, about 23% of the yearly total. Snowfall averages about 4.7 inches for the season, most of it in November. Daylight shortens from about 12.2 hours in September to 10.1 in November.
What the National Park Service says about the weather
Be prepared for variable and extreme weather conditions. Expect high winds any time of year. Summer temperatures are often above 95ºF (35ºC) and we have afternoon thunderstorms from July through September. Snow, ice, and freezing temperatures are common in the winter. Dress in layers, as weather at Sunset Crater Volcano can change quickly at any time of year.
Weather description courtesy of the National Park Service — official park site.
Today's forecast for Sunset Crater Volcano
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 35.37°N, 111.51°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 Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument →
Weather and crowds together
July is both the warmest month and the busiest, with about 1.5× 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 Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument. For hotels, cabins and rentals close to the park, see where to stay near Sunset Crater Volcano.
Where to stay near Sunset Crater Volcano
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Frequently Asked Questions
July is the warmest month at Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, with an average high of 84°F and an average low of 49°F. That is the 1991–2020 average at the nearest long-record NOAA station, 1.9 miles from the park's reference point. Temperatures inside the park can differ, particularly with elevation.
December is the coldest month at Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, with an average low of 12°F and an average high of 44°F, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.
August is the wettest month, with about 3.5 inches of precipitation. June is the driest, at about 0.3 inches. The station records about 17.2 inches of precipitation in an average year.
Yes. The nearest long-record NOAA station, 1.9 miles from the park's reference point, averages about 49 inches of snow a year. January is the snowiest month, at about 12 inches. The station averages at least a tenth of an inch of snow in 8 of the 12 months.
Weather at nearby parks
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55 mi away · warmest in July (101°F)
101 mi away · warmest in July (92°F)
Keep exploring
Sources: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (station USC00028329), 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.