Yosemite Weather: What to Expect

Yosemite National Park is a vast and beautiful natural wonder located in the Sierra Nevada mountain range of California, USA. The park is renowned for its stunning granite cliffs, towering waterfalls, diverse wildlife, and breathtaking natural scenery.

Yosemite's iconic landmarks include Half Dome, El Capitan, and Yosemite Falls, which are popular attractions for hikers, rock climbers, and outdoor enthusiasts. The park offers a wide range of activities for visitors, including camping, backpacking, fishing, and sightseeing.

Yosemite is home to a wide variety of plant and animal species, including black bears, mountain lions, and the Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep. The park also contains several unique ecosystems, including alpine tundra, high-elevation meadows, and giant sequoia groves.

Yosemite's weather can vary significantly depending on the season and location within the park. Below, we dive into weather in various areas of the park, including Yosemite Valley, Tuolumne Meadows, Hetch Hetchy, and Wawona and the Mariposa Grove.

Yosemite Valley

Yosemite National Park's weather can vary significantly by season and elevation. It's important to note that weather can be unpredictable in Yosemite, and visitors should always check the forecast and come prepared for changing conditions. Additionally, weather can vary significantly depending on the specific location and elevation within the park. Here's a general guide to the typical weather in Yosemite by month based on average temperatures and precipitation levels:

December - February: Winter is Yosemite's coldest and snowiest season. The park receives an average of 60-90 inches of snow during these months, and temperatures can drop below freezing. The valley floor can be icy and slippery, so visitors should bring appropriate gear.

March - May: Spring in Yosemite is a time of transition. The snow begins to melt, and the waterfalls start to flow. The temperatures can still be chilly, especially at higher elevations, and snow can still be present in some areas. Visitors should check for road and trail closures before visiting.

June - August: Summer is Yosemite's busiest season, with warm days and cool nights. Temperatures in the valley can reach the 80s and 90s, but at higher elevations, it can still be chilly. Thunderstorms and scattered showers are common, so visitors should be prepared for changing weather conditions.

September - November: Fall is a beautiful time to visit Yosemite, with cooler temperatures and fewer crowds. The park can still receive occasional rain showers, but the skies are generally clear, making for excellent hiking conditions. The fall colors are stunning, and the waterfalls are still flowing.

Tuolumne Meadows

Tuolumne Meadows is a sub-alpine meadow area located in the high country of Yosemite National Park, at an elevation of around 8,600 feet (2,620 meters). Note that Tuolumne Meadows is only accessible by car when Tioga Road is open, which is generally late May through late October. Here's a general guide to the typical weather in Tuolumne Meadows by month based on average temperatures and precipitation levels:

December - February: Winter in Tuolumne Meadows is harsh and snowy, with average high temperatures ranging from the mid-30s to low-40s Fahrenheit (1 to 5 degrees Celsius) and low temperatures dropping to below zero Fahrenheit (-18 degrees Celsius) on occasion. The area typically receives an average of 60-70 inches (152-178 cm) of snowfall, with snow covering the ground from December through April.

March - May: Spring in Tuolumne Meadows is a time of transition, with daytime temperatures gradually warming up to the high 40s to low 50s Fahrenheit (7 to 12 degrees Celsius) by May. Nighttime temperatures can still drop below freezing, and snow is generally still present. The Tioga road may reopen in late May depending on conditions. Motivated hikers and backcountry skiers can still access the Meadows by the Snow Creek trail from Yosemite Valley, or ski the Tioga road from Lee Vining.

June - August: Summer is the most popular time to visit Tuolumne Meadows, with average high temperatures ranging from the mid-60s to low-70s Fahrenheit (18 to 23 degrees Celsius). Nights are typically cool, with temperatures dropping to the mid-30s to low-40s Fahrenheit (1 to 5 degrees Celsius). Thunderstorms and scattered showers are common during this time, so visitors should be prepared for changing weather conditions.

September - November: Fall in Tuolumne Meadows is a beautiful time to visit, with the fall colors of the surrounding trees and bushes coming to life. Average high temperatures in September are in the mid-60s Fahrenheit (18 degrees Celsius), dropping to the mid-40s Fahrenheit (7 degrees Celsius) by November. Nighttime temperatures can drop below freezing, and snow can fall as early as October.

Hetch Hetchy

Hetch Hetchy is a reservoir and valley located in the northwest corner of Yosemite National Park, at an elevation of around 3,900 feet (1,190 meters). Because of Hetch Hetchy’s low elevation, backpackers can usually enjoy the trails here from April - November. Here's a general guide to the typical weather in Hetch Hetchy by month based on average temperatures and precipitation levels:

December - February: Winter in Hetch Hetchy can be cool and wet, with average high temperatures ranging from the mid-40s to low-50s Fahrenheit (7 to 10 degrees Celsius). Nights can be cold, with temperatures dropping to the mid-20s to low-30s Fahrenheit (-4 to 0 degrees Celsius). The area typically receives an average of 20-30 inches (51-76 cm) of rainfall during these months, with some snow possible at higher elevations.

March - May: Spring in Hetch Hetchy can be a beautiful time to go hiking, with daytime temperatures gradually warming up to the high-50s to low-70s Fahrenheit (14 to 22 degrees Celsius) by May. Nights can still be chilly, with temperatures dropping to the mid-30s to low-40s Fahrenheit (1 to 5 degrees Celsius). The area can still receive some rainfall during this time.

June - August: Summer is the warmest and driest time to visit Hetch Hetchy, with average high temperatures ranging from the mid-70s to low-80s Fahrenheit (24 to 28 degrees Celsius). Nights are typically mild, with temperatures dropping to the mid-40s to low-50s Fahrenheit (7 to 10 degrees Celsius). The area can still receive some scattered showers during this time, but it is generally dry.

September - November: Fall in Hetch Hetchy can be mild and sunny, with average high temperatures ranging from the mid-60s to low-70s Fahrenheit (18 to 23 degrees Celsius) in September, dropping to the mid-50s to low-60s Fahrenheit (13 to 16 degrees Celsius) by November. Nights can be cool, with temperatures dropping to the mid-30s to low-40s Fahrenheit (1 to 5 degrees Celsius). The area can receive some scattered showers during this time, especially in November.

Wawona and Mariposa Grove

Wawona is a small community located within Yosemite National Park, at an elevation of around 4,000 feet (1,200 meters). It provides access to the famous Mariposa grove of giant sequoias, and also to other trails in the southwest corner of Yosemite National Park. Here's a general guide to the typical weather in Wawona by month based on average temperatures and precipitation levels:

December - February: Winter in Wawona can be cool and wet, with average high temperatures ranging from the mid-40s to low-50s Fahrenheit (7 to 10 degrees Celsius). Nights can be cold, with temperatures dropping to the mid-20s to low-30s Fahrenheit (-4 to 0 degrees Celsius). The area typically receives an average of 25-30 inches (64-76 cm) of rainfall during these months, with some snow possible at higher elevations.

March - May: Spring in Wawona is generally mild and pleasant, with daytime temperatures gradually warming up to the high-60s to low-70s Fahrenheit (19 to 22 degrees Celsius) by May. Nights can still be chilly, with temperatures dropping to the mid-30s to low-40s Fahrenheit (1 to 5 degrees Celsius). The area can still receive some rainfall during this time.

June - August: Summer is the warmest and busiest time to visit Wawona, with average high temperatures ranging from the mid-80s to low-90s Fahrenheit (29 to 32 degrees Celsius). Nights are typically mild, with temperatures dropping to the mid-50s to low-60s Fahrenheit (13 to 16 degrees Celsius). The area can receive some scattered showers and thunderstorms during this time.

September - November: Fall in Wawona can be mild and sunny, with average high temperatures ranging from the mid-70s to low-80s Fahrenheit (24 to 28 degrees Celsius) in September, dropping to the mid-50s to low-60s Fahrenheit (13 to 16 degrees Celsius) by November. Nights can be cool, with temperatures dropping to the mid-30s to low-40s Fahrenheit (1 to 5 degrees Celsius). The area can receive some scattered showers during this time, especially in October and November.