Crater Lake Institute
 

 Home | Site Map | About Us | Donate/Join Us | Contact Us | CLI Store | Press Room
 
 
 You are here: Home > Planning a Visit > Current Conditions

Current Conditions for Crater Lake National Park

 

Call Crater Lake N.P. dispatch (541) 594-3000 (8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily) for most current information. Visit the official Crater Lake N.P. current conditions web page.

When is Crater Lake National Park Open?

Year-around, 24 hours a day. Some roads, trails, and facilities are closed seasonally due to snow. Much of the year, the park's North Entrance Road and Rim Drive are closed. They close with the first significant snowfall, typically late October or early November.

The North Entrance Road and West Rim Drive tend to open early June. The East Rim Drive typically opens in early July. Highway 62 is open year-round. The road to Rim Village is also open year-round, except after heavy snowstorms. See our Crater Lake National Park maps.

See the Crater Lake NPS Current Conditions web page (see 'Weather' PDF)

Within-Park Weather Stations

Roads (Internal and external road maps)

Facilities and Services (more information)

Trails (trail descriptions)

Trails are transitioning from hiking to skiing. Roads are in winter status, so, only the skiing trailheads are accessible. There is  significant downfall in the backcountry and many trails are not marked and may be difficult to follow.

Avalanche Danger

Air Quality

Lake Level

Seismicity

Fire

 

Climate Information

 

Climate Averages

  • Seasonal avg. snow accum., 524 in. (43.5 ft)

  • Seasonal avg. (melted) precipitation, 66 in.

  • Greatest total precipitation, 91.5 in., winter of '81/'82

  • Greatest seasonal snow accum., 834 in. (69.5 ft), winter of '32-'33

  • Greatest recorded snow depth, 252 in. (21 ft.), April 3, 1983

 

Crater Lake National Park's Climate

The summer weather in Crater Lake National Park is usually mild with temperatures and clear skies except for occasional thunderstorms. During the warmest summer period, daytime temperatures are moderate and only occasionally exceed 85 degrees F. At lower park elevations, daytime temperatures may reach 95 degrees; however, after sunset, temperatures quickly drop and may reach 30 degrees (National Park Service 1924 to present). The park lies within the influence of the Pacific Ocean weather and the majority of storms that strike the north Pacific Coast each winter.

Seventy percent of the park's annual precipitation occurs as snow from November through March. Average snowfall is 575 inches (48 feet), and snow depths of 100 to 200 inches (8 to 16 feet) are received each winter and are long lasting throughout much of the park. Daytime winter temperatures average slightly above freezing. Prevailing winds are from the northwest in summer and southwest in winter.

The U.S. National Weather Service maintains a precipitation gauge just north of the parking area for the Cleetwood Cove trailhead. The U.S. Geological Survey operates a water stage recorder on Crater Lake as a hydrological benchmark station at Cleetwood Cove. Snow survey courses are measured by the National Park Service for the Soil Conservation Service at Munson Valley and Annie Springs.

 

Month Average Maximum Temp. (F) Average Minimum Temp. (F) Average Total Precip. (inches) Average Total Snowfall (inches) Average Snow Depth (inches)
Jan. 34.6 18.1 9.79 104.9 80
Feb. 34.8 18.6 8.51 83.8 104
Mar. 37.3 19.4 7.71 84.2 117
Apr. 41.9 22.2 5.50 44.9 112
May 49.0 27.5 3.51 20.1 77
June 57.4 33.3 2.06 3.8 24
July 67.3 39.7 0.99 0.2 1
Aug. 68.6 40.3 1.09 0.1 0
Sep. 62.2 36.1 2.05 2.8 0
Oct. 52.1 30.2 4.67 21.6 2
Nov. 37.2 21.8 10.47 63.6 17
Dec. 34.4 18.4 10.68 93.5 49
Annual 48.2 27.4 67.02 523.5 48

 

 
 
 

 

 Site Navigation

  Arts

  Cultural History

  Natural History

  Online Library

  Planning a Visit

     Activities

     Current Conditions

     Directions and Maps

     F. A. Q. 's

     Services

  Research

Crater Lake Webcam

Crater Lake Institute

 

Stay Updated