Moab and Southern Utah in August (St. George: bike, best time, areas)

[pyl]

Is the last half of August too miserably hot to enjoy Moab and southern Utah? Some friends are trying to talk us out of going there at that time. We are mainly interested in hiking, biking, and driving. Bad idea?

[irman]

Originally Posted by pyl

Is the last half of August too miserably hot to enjoy Moab and southern Utah? Some friends are trying to talk us out of going there at that time. We are mainly interested in hiking, biking, and driving. Bad idea?

All depends on the weather (never reliable as far as I know ...) or go in the wee hours of the morning.
When it is hot .... it is hot .... , especially in the afternoon hours.

[tennismom124]

bryce is nice and about 9000 more feet in elevation than st. george. However the lightening storms are greatest that time of year as well as flash floods. watch the weather before you go out.

[Idunn]

Presently the highs and lows in St. George, UT are about 102/72. Not much variation in that. Clouds passed through on thursday that were forecast to result in thunderstorms, perhaps nearby but not here, and it didn't rain. This same storm resulted, I believe, in rain in other areas of Utah, also Colorado. Moab, UT probably a bit cooler, but not much.

If you like it hot, I mean if you revel in it, then August should be lovely. September is usually one of the best months in the Rocky Mountain West, even at much higher altitudes, and it would be somewhat cooler in this region. With its higher elevation, you have can expect somewhat cooler temperatures in Moab. Weather.com shows averages of 75/41 for Moab in October, so possibly then if you don't like it as hot. That month can be a wee cool in the mountains, but rather nice in the desert.

August, and to an extent September, is high season in the mountains, with lodging just that much harder to secure and expensive. This is also true in the desert, although probably with some variation. Spring and autumn may be more desirable in some cases and areas, although August still high season for a place such as Lake Powell, UT/AZ, which depends on water sports. Certainly more tourists on the road throughout the region.

One consideration you don't want to overlook is water. Whether in car, bike or foot, you do not want to end up accidently stranded without it. Not this time of year.

Otherwise, the scenery is lovely, and the weather deliciously hot.

[markg91359]

I don't think its too hot unless you are extremely sensitive to heat. Take plenty of water, sun tan lotion, and summer clothes. You'll get some great photographs in the summer. It wouldn't stop me. I'd say the best time for seeing southern Utah is late September to mid-October.