Yosemite National Park features a high-elevation, mountain climate with dramatic seasonal changes. Summers are warm, dry, and sunny, while winters are long, cold, and snowy. Spring and autumn are brief and variable, with rapidly changing weather. Visitors should always prepare for fluctuating temperatures, as conditions can shift quickly, especially at higher elevations.
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
Yosemite’s climate is shaped by its Sierra Nevada location and significant elevation range, from 600 m to over 4,000 m. Summers (June–September) are warm and dry in Yosemite Valley, with daytime highs of 28–32°C and cool nights around 10–13°C. Rain is rare, though brief afternoon thunderstorms can occur, especially at higher elevations. Sunshine is abundant, with long daylight hours ideal for hiking and exploring. However, the park’s higher elevations are cooler, often 10–15°C lower than the valley, and snow can linger into June or July.
Winters (November–March) are cold and snowy, especially above the valley floor. Daytime highs in the valley are 8–14°C, while lows can drop to –2°C or colder. Over 70% of the park’s precipitation falls as snow in these months, blanketing most of Yosemite from November to May. Many roads and high-country trails close due to snow, but Yosemite Valley remains accessible and is transformed into a peaceful, frosted landscape. Spring (April–May) is marked by melting snow, rushing waterfalls, and unpredictable weather – sun, rain, or snow are all possible. Fall (October–November) brings mild days, cool nights, and colourful foliage, but weather can turn quickly, with the first snow often arriving by late October. Winds are generally light to moderate but can be brisk during storms. Annual precipitation in the valley averages 900–1,000 mm, with higher totals at elevation.
| Average climate data for Yosemite National Park, United States | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 8 | 12 | 15 | 19 | 23 | 27 | 32 | 32 | 29 | 23 | 14 | 9 | 32 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | -4 | -2 | -1 | 2 | 5 | 9 | 12 | 11 | 8 | 4 | -1 | -3 | -4 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 164 | 156 | 138 | 77 | 38 | 18 | 8 | 5 | 17 | 48 | 99 | 152 | 919 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 9 | 9 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 65 |
| Average snowfall (mm) | 416 | 376 | 323 | 129 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 93 | 313 | 1,659 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 9 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 6 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 9 |
| Average UV index | 2 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 6 |
The best time to visit Yosemite is from May to June and September, when temperatures are mild (18–28°C), waterfalls are at their peak, and all park roads, trails, and facilities are open. These months offer the best balance of pleasant weather, full access, and fewer crowds than the peak of summer.
The least favourable time to visit is July and August, when crowds and temperatures peak, making popular trails and viewpoints busy and lodging scarce. Winter (November–March) is challenging for most travellers due to snow, road closures, and limited access, though it’s ideal for winter sports and solitude seekers.
Yosemite has a mountain climate with warm, dry summers and long, cold, snowy winters. Spring and autumn are brief and unpredictable, with rapidly changing weather and temperatures.
Summer highs in Yosemite Valley reach 28–32°C, with cooler nights around 10–13°C. Higher elevations are much cooler. Rain is rare, but brief afternoon thunderstorms can occur.
Yes, most of Yosemite is snow-covered from November to May, especially above the valley. Snow can linger into June or July at higher elevations. Winter sports are popular in these months.
Over 70% of Yosemite’s precipitation falls as snow or rain between November and March. Summer is very dry, while spring and autumn can bring variable weather, including storms.
Pack layers, waterproof outerwear, sturdy boots, and sun protection year-round. In winter, bring thermal gear and check for road closures. In summer, bring light clothes for day and warm layers for cool nights.
No, many roads and high-country trails close from November to late May due to snow. Yosemite Valley remains accessible year-round, but Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road close in winter.
Yes, July and August are the busiest months, with crowded trails, viewpoints, and limited lodging. Visiting in late spring or early autumn offers better weather and fewer crowds.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is July (32.3 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (8.4 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 20.2 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is July (11.7 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is January (-3.6 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 3.4 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is January (164.1 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is August (5.1 mm). Over the whole year there are 918.8 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is March (9.9 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is July (1 days). Over the whole year there are 64.9 days of rain on average.
The month with the most snowfall is January (416.1 mm). The months with the least snowfall are June, July, August and September (0 mm). Over the whole year there are 1,659.3 mm of snowfall on average.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 14.1 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 9.1 h). Over the whole year there are 11.8 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is July (Average sunshine: 12.1 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is January (Average sunshine: 6.1 h). Over the whole year there are 9.1 h of sunlight per day on average.
The month with the highest average UV index is July (UV index: 11). The months with the lowest average UV index are January and December (UV index: 2). Over the whole year the average UV index is 6.4.
