grand canyon weather

Winter Weather & Temperatures.

Winter weather conditions on the South Rim can be harsh. The North Rim can be worse. Keep in mind that visitor services and facilities inside the park on the North Rim are closed from mid-October until mid-May and although visitors can still visit the North Rim, the road from Jacob Lake to the North Rim (Highway 67) is subject to closure due to snow.

Services and some facilities at the South Rim are open all year, but be prepared for cold temperatures, snow, icy roads and possible road closures. However, the Ground Canyon is beautiful covered with winter snow.

Upper South Rim Averages

Month January February March April May June July August September October November December		High (F) 41 45 51 60 70 81 84 82 76 65 52 43		Low (F) 18 21 25 32 39 47 54 53 47 36 27 20		High (C) 5 7 10 15 21 27 29 28 24 18 11 6		Low (C) -8 -6 -4 0 4 8 12 12 8 2 -3 7		Precipitation 1.3” 1.5” 1.4” 0.9” 0.7” 0.4” 1.8” 2.2” 1.6” 1.1” 0.9” 1.6”

Lower Inner Canyon Averages

Month January February March April May June July August September October November December		High (F) 56 62 71 82 92 101 106 103 97 84 68 57		Low (F) 36 42 48 56 63 72 78 75 69 58 46 37		High (C) 13 17 22 28 33 38 41 39 36 29 20 14		Low (C) 2 6 9 13 17 22 26 24 21 14 8 2		Precipitation 0.7” 0.8” 0.8” 0.5” 0.4” 0.3” 0.8” 1.4” 1.0” 0.6” 0.4” 0.9”

source

to sum up its going to be cold. Bloody cold. It could be as 'warm' as 7 degrees C or as cold as -6 degrees C. with the monthly rainfall/snow around 1.5 inches. At the time of blogging this its currently -3.2c.....




I'm flying from LA to Phonex then onto Flagstaff, where I pick up the hire car and drive on the wrong side of the potentially icy roads up to Grand Canyon Village. 

I'm staying at the Grand Plaza Resort as of the 1st of Feb for 5 nights.

Am I excited. ???Hell yes.


 Am I nervous about going on my own. No. Meeting Lee-Anne and Danni in LA will be wonderful and by the time CHA is over I'll be needing some 'quiet time'. I've heard a whisper that a night at Disney Land is on the cards and a day touring Hollywood is defiently on.


Am I uncertain about driving over there. YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  But I'll take it steady and I've all the time in the world to get there. And it looks so straight forward to get there. Left turn at Flagstaff, Right turn at Williams and drive straight ahead till the road stops at the village.  About 90 miles all up. I drive more than that on some days as it is.


directions for my reference

To South Rim From Flagstaff, Arizona.

1. Take I 40 West about 30 miles to Highway 64 (Exit 165) as you near Williams. Go North on Highway 64 for about 60 miles directly to the South Rim.

2. In downtown Flagstaff, travel North on Humphreys Street to Columbus Avenue which becomes Highway 180. Take Highway 180 West about 55 miles to Highway 64. Head North on Highway 64 directly to Tusayan and the South Rim.

3. Take Route 66 Northeast which will turn into Highway 89. Take Highway 89 North about 65 miles, then turn left (west) onto Highway 64 and continue directly to the East Entrance on the South Rim. The East Entrance is referred to as "Desert View". Desert View is on Desert View Drive which hugs the edge of the canyon for about 26 scenic miles to Grand Canyon Village at the South Rim.

From Williams. Take I 40 to towards Williams, Arizona which is about 33 miles east of Flagstaff. Take Highway 64 (Exit 165) North for about 60 miles directly to the South Rim. A great way to see the Grand Canyon is catching the Grand Canyon Railway in Williams.

I'm packing the suitcase when I paused to check the GC weather to pack my warm things for that part of the trip.  Hence the weather details here, just to give you an idea of what I'm to expect.


Might even have to make the real deal s'mores!!!!!!!!






more info on the South Rim for my reference here. and images here