Grand Canyon November weather info??

[Eric Blumensaadt]

Where do I go to get Grand Canyon historic weather averages for November. I’ll be backpacking North Rim to South Rim in the first week of November.

 

[Ken Thompson]

Googled your question and got this

http://www.grandcanyonlodges.com/find-us/weather/

https://weatherspark.com/m/145501/11/Average-Weather-in-November-at-Grand-Canyon-National-Park-Airport-Arizona-United-States

https://www.thecanyon.com/weather

Have a great trip.

[Lee W]

https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/weather-condition.htm

Scroll to the bottom of this page. Has average highs/lows/precipitation for North Rim, South Rim and Inner Canyon for each month.

[obx hiker]

There are mesowest data collection sites near the 2 rim ends of the Bright Angel Trail and also at Phantom Ranch. That data is stored somewhere in the bowels of Noaa but darned If I could find it in a cursory attempt. I’ll possibly try again tomorrow.

here’s an initial link:  http://mesowest.utah.edu/cgi-bin/droman/my_login.cgi

It’ll take some effort but OTOH you’ll know how to do it for anywhere (US)  once you’ve figured it out. One downside is that you have to pick a year and of course there can be yearly fluctuations. Some of this stuff may also be stored at the National Climate Data Center but I think there’s a paywall. https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/

Each data station has a code ID # Phantom Ranch for ex is AT680 . The following link will show you the past 7 days. http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/mesowest/timeseries.php?sid=AT680&num=48

[Aaron]

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[David Thomas]

From https://grandcanyon.com/planning/north-rim-planning/need-to-know-north-rim/

After October 15, the North Rim is open for day use only until December 1 or the weather conditions close Highway 67.

So it seems very likely that you could get dropped off at the North Rim, but there is some chance that a big snowstorm could cause an early closure.  I’d definitely have a range of traction devices with me, maybe even bring all of them to the trailhead and have my driver return with what I didn’t use.

I’m a fan of using 1/2″ self-tapping hex-head screws with 6 under the fore foot and 4 in the heel of the sole of my shoe.  Good wool or synthetic socks and gaiters. Since the snow depth will decrease very rapidly as you descend into the Canyon, the same Dirty Girl gaiters everyone uses to keep sand and dirt out would suffice.  Or, heck, just wrap 12″ x 20″ of Saran Wrap around each ankle, securing it with a rubber band or tucking it into your socks.  Right after a big storm, the snowy/icy part could be the first 4-5 miles, but usually it is only the first mile or two.

I find it a lovely time of year to be in the Inner Canyon.  Shorter days, so have enough batteries along if you’re doing big mile days.  Or, if you’ll spend darkness in camp, bring a book or cards or drawing pad, etc.

Remember, if it’s snowing on the Rim, there is VERY cold rain falling in the Inner Canyon.  I find that harder to dress for.

Edited to add by “have a range of traction devices with me” I was thinking micro-spikes, 4-points, self-tapping screws, etc for my FEET, but I’d also have tire chains (test fit on my car that year) in the trunk.

[Author]

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