As we all know, weather is unpredictable. One of the most difficult questions that comes our way is “what’s the weather going to be like?” While we can’t answer that perfectly, we can help you prepare for weather surprises. Our packing list, found in your trip info packet, has been curated over many decades of river running. A good mantra is “it is better to have and not need than to need and not have”.

The Grand Canyon is a vast area containing many different climate zones. It could be pouring rain at Lees Ferry and sunny and hot at Diamond Creek, some 225 river miles away. Or, snowing at the South Rim, and nearly 4,400 feet below, pleasantly warm on the river. This makes it tough to give a truly accurate forecast for a multi-day river trip that moves downstream daily.

To get the best idea of what weather you can expect, check the report at Phantom Ranch within a week of your trip launch.  This gauge is located at river-level about halfway through the canyon.

In general, you can expect our early and late season trips (April/May and September/October) to be mild with a chance of a winter storm. Often, this is a great time of year to explore the hidden gems that are not accessible during the heat of summer.  As there is always a possibility of an atypical winter storm, please be sure to review our early/late season packing information in your trip info packet. Temperatures could be A LOT cooler than average if a storm rolls through. Keep in mind that being splashed by cold river water will make daytime temperatures feel cooler!

June is considered our sunniest and can feel like the hottest part of the season. The high temperatures pair well with the crisp Colorado River. The main river is ALWAYS cold — about 50 degrees Fahrenheit — and you WILL be getting wet on Grand Canyon whitewater raft trips.

The season between June and September is typically defined by afternoon cloud cover which helps cool things down just a tad. The typical pattern of the season brings rain and thunderstorms in the afternoons which can be exciting and really beautiful.

September and October are often pleasant, and again, you’ll need to be prepared for any early winter storms that may roll through.

If the forecast looks cooler and rainy, take a look at our additional cold weather tips.

If the forecast is looking hot and dry, take a look at our additional hot weather tips.

 

                   April     May     June     July     August     September     October
Avg. high       82        92         101      106        103                97                  84

Avg. low        56         63         72         78          75                69                 58