Updated October 2026
Yellowstone National Park Weather by Month
Yellowstone National Park is warmest in July, when the nearest NOAA climate station averages a high of 72°F and a low of 39°F, and coldest in February, with an average high of 26°F and an average low of 1°F. May, June and December are the wettest months, with about 2.4 inches of precipitation each.
These figures are NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals, the 30-year average for each calendar month, from the nearest long-record weather station, 7.2 miles from the park's reference point. A single station cannot describe a whole park: temperatures elsewhere in Yellowstone National Park can differ from these, particularly with elevation.
Warmest month
Jul
72°F avg high
Coldest month
Feb
1°F avg low
Longest days
Jun
15.4 h of daylight
Average weather at Yellowstone by month
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Precipitation | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 23°F | 1°F | 1.8 in | 9.0 h |
| February | 26°F | 1°F | 1.7 in | 10.2 h |
| March | 35°F | 8°F | 1.9 in | 11.6 h |
| April | 41°F | 17°F | 2.3 in | 13.3 h |
| May | 51°F | 26°F | 2.4 in | 14.6 h |
| June | 61°F | 33°F | 2.4 in | 15.4 h |
| July | 72°F | 39°F | 1.5 in | 15.1 h |
| August | 71°F | 37°F | 1.3 in | 13.9 h |
| September | 61°F | 30°F | 1.6 in | 12.3 h |
| October | 46°F | 22°F | 1.9 in | 10.7 h |
| November | 32°F | 11°F | 2.1 in | 9.3 h |
| December | 23°F | 3°F | 2.4 in | 8.6 h |
| Year total | 23.3 in |
NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals from station USW00094173, 7.2 miles from the park's reference point. Daylight is the monthly average, computed from the park's latitude. Each month links to how crowded Yellowstone is at that time of year.
Yellowstone weather by season
Winter: December to February
Average highs climb from 23°F in December to 26°F in February, with average lows near 2°F. The average high stays at or below freezing in all three months. Together the three months average 5.9 inches of precipitation, about 25% of the yearly total. Daylight is at its shortest, about 8.6 hours in December.
Spring: March to May
Average highs climb from 35°F in March to 51°F in May, with average lows between 8°F and 26°F. The average low is at or below freezing in all three months. Together the three months average 6.6 inches of precipitation, about 28% of the yearly total and more than in any other season. Daylight lengthens from about 11.6 hours in March to 14.6 in May.
Summer: June to August
Average highs peak at 72°F in July, between 61°F in June and 71°F in August, with average lows between 33°F and 39°F. Together the three months average 5.2 inches of precipitation, about 22% of the yearly total and less than in any other season. Daylight is at its longest, about 15.4 hours in June.
Fall: September to November
Average highs fall from 61°F in September to 32°F in November, with average lows between 11°F and 30°F. The average low is at or below freezing in all three months. Together the three months average 5.6 inches of precipitation, about 24% of the yearly total. Daylight shortens from about 12.3 hours in September to 9.3 in November.
What the National Park Service says about the weather
Yellowstone's weather can vary quite a bit, even in a single day. In the summer, daytime highs can exceed 70°F (21°C), only to drop 20 or more degrees when a thunderstorm rolls through. It can snow during any month of the year, and winter lows frequently drop below 0°F (-18°C), especially at night. Bring a range of clothing options, including a warm jacket and rain gear, even in the summer.
Weather description courtesy of the National Park Service — official park site.
Today's forecast for Yellowstone
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 44.60°N, 110.55°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 Yellowstone National Park →
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. November is the quietest. To see those crowds set against the weather for all twelve months, read the best time to visit Yellowstone National Park. For hotels, cabins and rentals close to the park, see where to stay near Yellowstone.
Where to stay near Yellowstone
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Top-rated places to stay near Yellowstone
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Frequently Asked Questions
July is the warmest month at Yellowstone National Park, with an average high of 72°F and an average low of 39°F. That is the 1991–2020 average at the nearest long-record NOAA station, 7.2 miles from the park's reference point. Temperatures inside the park can differ, particularly with elevation.
February is the coldest month at Yellowstone National Park, with an average low of 1°F and an average high of 26°F, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.
May, June and December are the wettest months, with about 2.4 inches of precipitation each. August is the driest, at about 1.3 inches. The station records about 23.3 inches of precipitation in an average year.
Daylight at Yellowstone National Park runs from about 8.6 hours a day in December to about 15.4 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 USW00094173), 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.