Weather

a sunrise illuminates rocky peaks
A sunrise illuminates rocky peaks

NPS Photo / Mt. Whitney Sunrise, Credit: Steven Gadecki

 

Weather can be very different between different park areas, and it can change quickly. Temperatures can vary 20 to 30 degrees as you change elevation. There may be spring flowers in the foothills and snow in the Giant Forest at the same time.

In addition to weather forecasts, check current conditions for information about how weather may impact your trip.

Park Weather Forecasts

Foothills Forecast
The lower elevations of Sequoia National Park, up to about 4,000 feet in elevation.

Giant Forest & Lodgepole Forecast
Forests of sequoias and other conifers in Sequoia, between about 5,000 and 7,000 feet in elevation. You can also check the Giant Forest Webcam.

Grant Grove Forecast
Forests of sequoias and other conifers in Kings Canyon National Park, between about 6,000 and 7,000 feet in elevation. A weather station there gives updates every five minutes.

Cedar Grove Forecast
On the floor of the Kings Canyon between about 3,500 and 4,700 feet in elevation, this area closes mid-November to mid-April.

Mineral King Valley Forecast
The narrow side road to this part of Sequoia National Park ends at about 7,800 feet in elevation, and closes late October through late May.

For recordings of current park weather and road conditions, call 559-565-3341.

Other Weather Links


Park Road Seasonal Information
Many park roads open and close seasonally. If you're planning a trip to these parks from early fall through late spring, learn about winter driving and tire chain requirements.

California Road Conditions
Caltrans provides condition reports onine or by phone at (800) 427-7623.

Snowpack and Water Resources of the Sierra Nevada
California's Department of Water Resources posts records of current snowpack conditions online.

Regional Forecast for Parks of the Southern Sierra
The National Weather Service's recreational report includes forecasts for Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and Yosemite national parks.

 

Average Temperatures

The Foothills

These lower elevations are characterized by mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers. Precipitation usually occurs from January to mid-May; rain in the summer is rare. Average rainfall is about 26" (66 cm). During the winter, low-hanging clouds often drift in from the west, obscuring the countryside for several days at a time.

Historic Average Temperatures for the Foothills
Average high Average low Extreme high Extreme low
Jan 57°F
14°C
36°F
2°C
84°F
29°C
20°F
-7°C
Feb 61°F
16°C
39°F
4°C
85°F
29°C
22°F
-6°C
Mar 64°F
18°C
41°F
5°C
85°F
29°C
26°F
-3°C
Apr 70°F
21°C
46°F
8°C
92°F
33°C
29°F
-2°C
May 79°F
26°C
52°F
11°C
104°F
40°C
31°F
1°C
Jun 89°F
32°C
61°F
16°C
114°F
46°C
38°F
3°C
Jul 97°F
36°C
68°F
20°C
113°F
45°C
42°F
6°C
Aug 96°F
36°C
67°F
20°C
111°F
44°C
46°F
8°C
Sep 91°F
33°C
52°F
11°C
112°F
44°C
37°F
3°C
Oct 80°F
27°C
43°F
6°C
103°F
39°C
30°F
-1°C
Nov 67°F
19°C
37°F
3°C
93°F
34°C
26°F
-3°C
Dec 58°F
14°C
36°F
2°C
82°F
28°C
18°F
-8°C

The Sequoia Groves

Summer in the Grant Grove, Lodgepole, and Giant Forest areas of the parks offers warm days and cool evenings. These elevations receive an average of 40-45" (102-114 cm) of precipitation annually. Much of this falls during the winter, resulting in a deep blanket of snow from December to May. Sub-zero temperatures are rare. In the summer, occasional afternoon thundershowers may occur.

In fall and winter, Lodgepole Campground is generally 10-15 degrees F (6-9°C) colder than the average middle-elevation temperature shown on the chart.

Summer temperatures in Cedar Grove are generally hotter than the average for the middle elevations, and cooler than the foothills. Mid-summer temperatures may reach the 90°s (35-40°C). Cedar Grove is closed in the winter due to frequent rockfalls on the road.

Historic Average Temperatures
Giant Forest, Lodgepole, and Grant Grove
Average high Average low Extreme high Extreme low
Jan 42°F
6°C
24°F
-4°C
68°F
20°C
-6°F
-21°C
Feb 44°F
7°C
25°F
-4°C
70°F
21°C
-4°F
-21°C
Mar 46°F
8°C
26°F
-3°C
76°F
24°C
0°F
18°C
Apr 51°F
11°C
30°F
-1°C
77°F
25°C
8°F
-13°C
May 58°F
14°C
36°F
2°C
83°F
28°C
13°F
-11°C
Jun 68°F
20°C
44°F
7°C
91°F
33°C
22°F
-6°C
Jul 76°F
24°C
51°F
11°C
92°F
33°C
34°F
1°C
Aug 76°F
24°C
50°F
10°C
94°F
34°C
28°F
-2°C
Sep 71°F
22°C
45°F
7°C
90°F
32°C
23°F
-5°C
Oct 61°F
16°C
38°F
3°C
82°F
28°C
11°F
-12°C
Nov 50°F
10°C
31°F
-1°C
96°F
36°C
4°F
-20°C
Dec 44°F
7°C
27°F
-3°C
73°F
23°C
-4°F
-20°C


Park footer

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

47050 Generals Highway
Three Rivers, CA 93271

Phone:

559 565-3341

Contact Us