Does Yosemite rain often?

Yosemite receives 95% of its precipitation between October and May (and over 75% between November and March). Most of Yosemite is blanketed in snow from about November through May. (Yosemite Valley can be rainy or snowy in any given winter storm.) Check current weather forecasts in the park by location.



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In quantity, precipitation varies with altitude and slope exposure: it generally increases with altitude, but it's also more abundant along the western slopes. In Yosemite Village, 930 millimeters (36.5 inches) of rain (or snow) fall per year, with a pronounced minimum in summer, when the rains are very rare.

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The rainy period of the year lasts for 7.8 months, from September 30 to May 24, with a sliding 31-day rainfall of at least 0.5 inches. The month with the most rain in Yosemite Lakes is February, with an average rainfall of 3.7 inches. The rainless period of the year lasts for 4.2 months, from May 24 to September 30.

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Just because it is a little rainy out doesn't mean you have to miss out on exploring Yosemite. Hop in the car and drive around or sit back and relax on an educational bus tour through the park.

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Daytime temperatures in Yosemite Valley sometimes reach 100°F during summer, while nights are cool. Temperatures in Tuolumne Meadows (8,600 feet) in mid-summer are usually in the 70s in the daytime and in the 30s at night. Though skies are usually clear, thunderstorms can be a daily occurrence in summer afternoons.

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Yosemite National Park is open 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. However, the Hetch Hetchy Entrance Station is open only during daylight hours (approximately) and some roads are closed due to snow from around November through May or June. (Check road conditions and Hetch Hetchy hours.)

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Jacket. Even though the temperature never gets super cold at Yosemite, you still will need a jacket to slip over the top of your outfits. Choose a jacket that is lightweight, waterproof, and windproof and you're good to go in all conditions (also, that makes it wearable on other trips too!).

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Avoid Yellowstone in July and August if crowds and heat are not your game. Yosemite National Park sees its absolute peak crowds during July and August. You will need to book lodging – including campgrounds – and any guides, activities or tours well in advance. These are also the hottest months to visit the park.

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Yosemite National Park sees its absolute peak crowds during July and August. You will need to book lodging – including campgrounds – and any guides, activities or tours well in advance.

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Plan on spending two to four days in Yosemite if you want enough time to see all the amazing sights. This will give you plenty of time to see Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, Glacier Point, and enjoy some hiking trails.

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American black bears found in Yosemite National Park have long been of intense interest to park visitors and managers. Seeing one of the approximately 300 to 500 black bears in Yosemite can evoke excitement, awe, and fear. If visitors spot a bear while in the park, it is a black bear-not a brown or grizzly bear.

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As large and as significant as Yosemite Falls is, it's a seasonal waterfall. By late summer in all but the wettest of years, the granite lined watershed that feeds Yosemite Creek and Yosemite Falls has shed all of the snowpack from the winter and the falls dwindle to nothing but a trickle.

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Peak runoff typically occurs in May or June, with some waterfalls (including Yosemite Falls) often only a trickle or completely dry by August. Storms in late fall rejuvenate some of the waterfalls and all of them accumulate frost along their edges many nights during the winter.

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When planning your trip to Yosemite, include time for alternative activities during severe weather. Alternative activities include scenic driving, taking a bus tour, or spending time indoors at visitor centers and museums.

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Make sure you know before you go. In national parks where grizzlies live, such as Glacier or Grand Teton, rangers encourage you to carry bear spray. In others, such as Yosemite, where only black bears live, bear spray is not even permitted.

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No matter which season you are planning to visit Yosemite, layers will be important. During the spring, summer, or fall, we recommend wearing a base of shorts and a tank top or t-shirt then layering from there. Cargo pants that have removable sections are great.

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A sturdy pair of hiking boots or runners will protect your feet and ensure maximum comfort while you're exploring on foot. Try to bring a pair of boots that support your ankle and have decent grip to prevent slips and trips. If you're buying new boots, make sure you break them in before you go.

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At 4,000 feet in the Yosemite Valley, park temperatures can fluctuate 30 degrees in one day, going from 51 F during the night to 87 F during the day. Be sure to pack light layers for daytime and others that will keep you warm in the evenings, including a winter hat, when the sun sets and cooler air moves in.

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Within Yosemite National Park, you may not sleep in your car or RV except in a campsite that you're registered to stay in (except at Camp 4, where sleeping in cars is not allowed because it's a walk-in campground). Sleeping in your car along the side of the road is not allowed.

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While true altitude sickness is normally only the concern of mountaineers heading for high summits, you can experience mild symptoms from the elevation in Yosemite—headaches, shortness-of-breath, and the like—as low as 5,000 feet. Staying a step ahead of altitude sickness means taking things slow.

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The average high temperatures in Yosemite Valley are around 50°F (10°C); the average lows are around 30°F (-1°C).

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