Understanding Grand Canyon Weather Vital
to Trip Planning
Traveling to see the natural beauty present any of the U.S. National Parks can be difficult at times. This is when it behooves visitors to familiarize themselves with the different kinds of weather found at the Parks, particularly at the Grand Canyon. Gain this knowledge and discover the best times to visit the canyon.
Meteorologists claim that there's no one specific climate at the canyon. This is actually very true because within Park, weather can fluctuate to the extreme, producing a multitude of climates. Great example of this is how varied the temperatures are at the top of the rim versus those found at the bottom, a difference that often exceeds 30 degrees! To continue underscoring this point, the record high at South Rim is 105 degrees and the record low is -20 degrees.
The Grand Canyon receives plenty of snow in the winter. The North Rim, which is inaccessible from October to April, especially gets hit by snowstorms and receives about 144 inches of powder annually. The South Rim and West Rim are open year-round; if there is snowfall at South Rim, the roadways are plowed and cleared quickly.
Spring and fall are the optimal times to visit the canyon. Ice may still be present at various lookouts in spring, so use caution. Summer is hot, and the heat peaks in July, August and September. Bring lots of water and sunscreen. It's a good idea to wear a brimmed hat and a pair of long pants. Do not attempt to hike to the bottom and back during summer - this is the primary way in which travelers suffer from heatstroke and dehydration.
Interestingly, it's also during summer when the canyon receives a lot of precipitation. This is due to the Monsoon, a weather condition marked by thunder, lightning and heavy torrential rainstorms. This system, which originates in the Gulf of Mexico, is one of the most dramatic and thrilling times to visit the National Park. However, if you find yourself in the midst of such a storm, see shelter and higher ground.
Knowing Grand Canyon weather is vital to planning a trip to the canyon. Without this knowledge, you might end up at the South Rim, for example, during a time when it's especially inclement, or at the West Rim when the Santa Ana winds are blowing particularly hard across the Mojave Desert. So spend a bit of time visiting one of the many weather websites. The pay off can be huge.
Happy Travels,
P.S. Unclear about who to travel with? Check out this Grand Canyon Bus tour review site where rankings are based on safety, quality and price.