Flash flooding is the sharpest hazard facing campers at Wupatki National Monument, with 7 recorded flash flood events in Coconino County driving the area's hazard profile. The surrounding high desert terrain channels monsoon rainfall into canyon washes with little warning, and the county's hazard incidents also include lightning strikes and severe thunderstorm winds that compound the danger during summer storm season.
When you set up camp, check the National Weather Service forecast specifically for flash flood watches, not just general rain — even a storm miles away can send a surge down a dry wash. Avoid parking or pitching tents in low-lying arroyos or drainage channels, even if the sky above you looks clear. Pack a weather radio or download an offline alert app before you arrive, since cell coverage at Wupatki is unreliable and you won't want to depend on a data connection to know when to move to higher ground.
Top recorded hazards in Coconino County
County dataFrom NOAA Storm Events (2024). Counts of recorded incidents — not all occurred at this park.
- Flash Flood 7
- Hail 3
- Tornado 2
- Thunderstorm Wind 2
- Heavy Rain 1
- Lightning 1
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About Wupatki National Monument
Nestled between the Painted Desert and ponderosa highlands of northern Arizona, Wupatki National Monument is an unlikely landscape for a thriving community. The early 1100's marked a time of cooler and wetter weather, when the ancestors of contemporary Pueblo communities created a bustling center of trade and culture. For indigenous peoples, these sites represent the footprints of their ancestors.
Weather
Be prepared for variable and extreme weather conditions. You may expect high winds any time of year, summer temperatures above 100ºF (38ºC), afternoon thunderstorms July–September, and occasional snow in winter and early spring. Dress in layers, as Wupatki weather can change quickly at any time of year. For current weather please visit https://www.nps.gov/wupa/planyourvisit/weather.htm