Yosemite Valley is hot and dry in summer. The average high temperature for July and August is 90°F. Overnight lows dip into the mid-50s°F. Summer averages less than 2 inches of precipitation each year, but thunderstorms are a serious concern. You do not want to be caught on a massive, exposed slab of granite like Half Dome when an afternoon thunderstorm rolls in. During the winter, average highs are around 50°F in Yosemite Valley with lows slightly below freezing. Most precipitation falls between November and March. In the higher elevations snow can fall any month of the year. Regardless of when you hike, be sure to pack warm clothes and dress in layers if you’re heading into the High Sierra.
