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John Bonzo CC BY-SA 4.0 Wikimedia Commons

Hurricane Cliffs

Cliff

A prominent escarpment marking the Colorado Plateau edge, the Hurricane Cliffs offer roadside viewpoints and access to nearby desert trails and canyon country for hikers and photographers.

Hurricane Cliffs Flagstaff, ArizonaPhoenix, ArizonaTucson, ArizonaGrand CanyonMesa, ArizonaScottsdale, ArizonaGlendale, ArizonaChandler, ArizonaHurricane Cliffs
In this guide

Hurricane Cliffs essentials

Country: United States
Driest months: Apr-Jun
Pay in: Dollar ($)
Language: English

Hurricane Cliffs at a Glance

About Hurricane Cliffs

Hurricane Cliffs are a prominent escarpment in the region where the Colorado Plateau meets lower-lying terrain in northern Arizona and southern Utah. The cliffs form a steep face that is a clear geomorphological boundary in the landscape.

The formation is the result of uplift and subsequent erosion that produced a sharp topographic break, exposing cliff faces and layered rock strata. The cliffs are a conspicuous landscape feature visible from nearby roads and high points and are used as a reference in regional mapping and navigation.

The Hurricane Cliffs extend along the transition zone between plateau and basin in the Arizona-Utah border region, and the feature is most easily observed from vantage points along regional highways and nearby high ground.

When to Go

Best Time to Visit Hurricane Cliffs

Aim for spring or fall for the most comfortable conditions and clearer access to trails and viewpoints around the cliffs.

Spring / Fall (best)
Mar-May and Sep-Nov · ~10-25°C (50-77°F)
Mild daytime temperatures and generally clear skies make hiking, viewpoints and drives most comfortable.
Summer
Jun-Aug · ~25-35°C (77-95°F)
Hot conditions at lower elevations; start hikes early to avoid daytime heat and carry ample water.
Winter
Dec-Feb · ~-5-10°C (23-50°F)
Colder conditions with possible snow or ice at higher elevations - some routes and overlooks may be slick or closed.

Weather & Climate near Hurricane Cliffs

Climate

Hurricane Cliffs's climate is classified as Cold Desert - Cold Desert climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -4°C to 35°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall.

Air Quality: AQI 20 Good
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
35°
Warmest Month
-4°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January - -4° - 10° 0° 33 mm - - 2.9 m/s - -
February - -2° - 13° 3° 38 mm - - 3.2 m/s - -
March - 0° - 15° 5° 43 mm - - 3.8 m/s - -
April - 3° - 20° 11° 22 mm - - 4.1 m/s - -
May - 7° - 25° 16° 16 mm - - 4.2 m/s - -
June - 12° - 31° 22° 10 mm - - 4.2 m/s - -
July - 16° - 35° 26° 33 mm - - 3.8 m/s - -
August - 16° - 34° 25° 39 mm - - 3.5 m/s - -
September - 12° - 30° 21° 26 mm - - 3.3 m/s - -
October - 6° - 24° 15° 22 mm - - 3.2 m/s - -
November - 0° - 16° 6° 32 mm - - 3.1 m/s - -
December - -4° - 11° 1° 30 mm - - 2.8 m/s - -