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Capitol Reef National ParkThe Wingate Sandstone Castle is perched on the banded Chinle formation
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Capitol Reef National Park
Weather
Capitol Reef National Park has an arid climate with precipitation averaging just 7.2 inches annually at the park Visitor Center weather station. For current weather conditions, refer to our the recorded message on our automated phone system at 435-425-3791.

A current forecast provided by the National Weather Service is available here. You may also view historic (1967-2005) climate information here, provided by the Northern Colorado Plateau Network of the National Park Service.

The chart below is based on temperature and precipitation records from 1948 through 1986 and may provide someone planning a visit with an idea of what can be expected from the weather:

 
TEMPERATURES (F)
  AVERAGE RECORDED PRECIPITATION (in.) SNOWFALL (in.)
MONTH HIGH LOW HIGH LOW AVERAGE RANGE RANGE CHANCE
JANUARY 41 18 69 -9 0.34 0 - 2.00 0 - 12.50 97%
FEBRUARY 48 24 72 -7 0.23 0 - 1.13 0 - 10.00 62%
MARCH 56 30 79 10 0.52 0 - 2.25 0 - 14.00 71%
APRIL 66 38 90 18 0.48 0 - 2.84 0 - 6.50 37%
MAY 76 47 95 28 0.65 0 - 2.23 0 - 2.50 3%
JUNE 87 55 104 36 0.45 0 - 2.29 - -
JULY 92 62 104 44 1.04 .90 - 3.13 - -
AUGUST 89 61 102 42 1.16 .04 - 4.42 - -
SEPTEMBER 81 53 98 30 0.72 0 - 3.00 - -
OCTOBER 68 42 91 17 0.79 0 - 3.33 0 - 10.10 13%
NOVEMBER 53 30 77 5 0.54 0 - 2.84 0 - 13.00 50%
DECEMBER 42 21 69 -8 0.29 0 - 1.49 0 - 8.00 90%
 

HIGH TEMPERATURES

Except for July and August, daily high temperatures usually range about 10° F on either side of the average monthly high temperature shown. July and August highs range about 5° F on either side of the average monthly high shown.

LOW TEMPERATURES

Low temperatures usually range about 10° F on either side of the average low temperatures shown for the months January through April and November through December. Low temperatures for May through October will range about 5° F on either side of the average monthly low shown.

Peaches hanging on branches, almost ready to pick.  

Did You Know?
Capitol Reef National Park has the largest historic orchards in the National Park System, with approximately 2,600 fruit and nut trees. You can pick fruit in quantity in orchards that are officially open for public harvest for a modest charge.

Last Updated: February 16, 2007 at 13:35 EST