Thunderstorm wind is the dominant hazard at Dinosaur National Monument, with 6 recorded events driving the weather risk profile for this area. These sudden gusts can arrive with little warning across the open canyon terrain, and a single flash flood event on record is a reminder that summer storms here can shift from gusty to dangerous quickly. The surrounding Moffat County also carries a notably elevated violent crime rate of 493.9 per 100,000 residents, so situational awareness extends beyond the weather.
When storms build — typically on summer afternoons — move away from the canyon rim and get into your vehicle or a hard-sided RV rather than a tent or shade shelter. Stake your camp setup with heavy-duty anchors rated for high wind before you leave for a day hike, since gusts can arrive while you're out. If you're camping near the Green River corridor, check the NPS flash flood alerts each morning and identify higher ground near your site before you need it.
Top recorded hazards in Moffat County
County dataFrom NOAA Storm Events (2024). Counts of recorded incidents — not all occurred at this park.
- Thunderstorm Wind 6
- Flash Flood 1
- Hail 1
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About Dinosaur National Monument
150 million years ago, dinosaurs roamed here. Their fossils are still embedded in the rocks. Today, mountains, desert, and rivers flowing in canyons support a variety of life. Petroglyphs reveal the lives and connections of Indigenous people to this land. Homesteaders and outlaws found refuge here. Whether your passion is science, adventure, history, or scenery, Dinosaur offers much to explore.
Weather
Dinosaur's climate is semiarid with temperatures averaging between 0°F to 30°F in January and 50°F to 100°F in July. Extreme winter low temperatures may reach -40°F and summer highs can top 110°F. Elevations within the park vary between 4,700 and 9,000 feet. Winter snow may be heavy at higher elevations while only light to moderate snow is found at lower elevations. Summer thunderstorms may cause heavy downpours and localized flooding, but fail to dampen parched soils less than a mile away.