National Park Service LogoU.S. Department of the InteriorNational Park ServiceNational Park Service
National Park Service:  U.S. Department of the InteriorNational Park Service Arrowhead
Great Basin National ParkClouds in the Valley
view map
text size:largestlargernormal
printer friendly
Great Basin National Park
Weather
 

| Average Temperatures | Average Precipitation |

Climate
There is almost an 8,000 ft (2,400 m) difference in elevation between Wheeler Peak and the valley floor. Weather conditions in the park vary with elevation. In late spring and early summer, days in the valley may be hot, yet the snowpack may not have melted in the higher elevations. The Great Basin is a desert, with low relative humidity and sharp drops in temperature at night. In the summer, fierce afternoon thunderstorms are common. It can snow any time of the year at high elevations.

Realtime Weather Stations in Great Basin NP:
>Baker Flat
>Mather Overlook
>Housing Area/Resource Management Building

Realtime Roadside Weather Station in Baker:
>
Junction of Hwy 50 and 487

 

Average Temperatures

Month Average Max. Average Min.
January 41°F  (5°C) 18°F  (-8°C)
February 44°F  (7°C) 21°F  (-6°C)
March 48°F  (9°C) 24°F  (-4°C)
April 56°F  (13°C) 31°F  (-1°C)
May 66°F  (19°C) 40°F  (4°C)
June 76°F  (24°C) 48°F  (9°C)
July 86°F  (30°C) 57°F  (14°C)
August 83°F  (28°C) 56°F  (13°C)
September 75°F  (24°C) 47°F  (8°C)
October 62°F  (17°C) 37°F  (3°C)
November 49°F  (9°C) 26°F  (-3°C)
December 42°F  (6°C) 20°F  (-7°C)

Temperatures recorded at Lehman Caves Visitor Center: 6,825 feet.
 

Average Precipitation
(measured in inches)

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec
Normal 0.9 1.0 1.4 1.3 1.1 0.9 0.9 1.1 0.9 1.0 1.2 1.2
Maximum 3.2 3.6 5.0 3.0 4.7 3.4 2.1 3.7 2.7 3.0 3.4 3.4
Max. 24 Hr. Precip. 2.2 1.6 1.5 1.6 1.6 1.4 1.1 0.8 2.4 1.1 1.5 1.6
Max. Snowfall 34 39 52 35 23 8 0 0 2 42 48 46
Days with Measurable Precip. 7 7 8 8 7 5 6 5 4 5 5 6
Average No. Thunderstorms 0 0 0 1 5 7 12 12 4 1 0 0

{Top of Page}

Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive in Spring
Current Conditions
Roads, campgrounds, trails...
more...
Your Safety
Your Safety
Safety Information
more...
Realtime Weather Forecast
Realtime Weather Forecast
Be prepared for all types of weather
more...
Century + year old orchard; Photographed by Bryan Petrytyl  

Did You Know?
The apricot trees in front of the Lehman Caves Visitor Center in Great Basin National Park are over 100 years old! The trees are thought to have been planted by Absalom Lehman, discoverer of Lehman Caves. These historic fruit trees continue to produce today.

Last Updated: September 22, 2008 at 12:33 EST