National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce
 
Situational Awareness Climbing Forecast Observations

 

 


934
SXAK49 PAFG 190825
RECAFG

Mount McKinley Recreational Forecast
National Weather Service Fairbanks AK
1225 AM AKDT Thu Jun 19 2025

The forecast for the lower elevations of Denali National Park can be
found online at https://www.weather.gov/afg/denaliNPPcurrent.
Additional information, including flying weather, can be
found online at https://www.weather.gov/afg/mckinleyclimbing.

Altitude Forecast...
Wind speeds 14 thousand feet and above are free air.
Wind gusts are not included.
Temperatures are in Fahrenheit.

.SYNOPSIS...
Today and tonight look to be "the day" for decent climbing
conditions with warmer temps and fairly light winds. Winds may
start the day at 15 mph from the southeast at the summit to 14k
feet but should drop below that by afternoon. Partly cloudy skies
to start with an isolated morning shower possible from base to
14k. By afternoon there is a chance for thunderstorms in the
afternoon today from 17k to base camp. Any storms are likely to
occur from around 3 PM to 9 PM. Fri, south winds are increasing 15
to 25 mph in the afternoon and may actually be slightly stronger
at the 14k camp than summit. An isolated PM thunderstorm is
possible but looks less likely Friday afternoon.

&&

.FORECAST FOR 7000 FOOT BASE CAMP...
Winds less than 15 mph are not included.

.TODAY...Partly cloudy becoming mostly cloudy. High near 45
above. Isolated showers in the morning. Slight chance for
afternoon thunderstorms.
.TONIGHT...Mostly cloudy. Scattered showers into the evening. Low
near 35 above.
.FRIDAY...Partly cloudy becoming mostly cloudy. High near 45
above. Slight chance for afternoon thunderstorms.
.FRIDAY NIGHT...Mostly cloudy with partly clearing skies. Low near 35
above.

&&

.FORECAST FOR 14000 FEET...
Winds less than 15 mph are not included.

.TODAY...Partly cloudy becoming mostly cloudy. Chance for
afternoon thunderstorms and snow showers. Southeast winds to 15
mph. High near 25 above.
.TONIGHT...Mostly cloudy. Scattered snow showers. Low near 10
above.
.FRIDAY...Partly cloudy. Slight chance for afternoon
thunderstorms and snow showers. Southeast winds to 15 to 20 mph.
High near 25 above.
.FRIDAY NIGHT...Mostly cloudy. Southeast winds to 15 to 25 mph.
Low near 10 above.

&&

.FORECAST FOR 17000 FEET TO SUMMIT...
Winds less than 15 mph are not included.

.TODAY...Partly cloudy becoming mostly cloudy. Isolated afternoon
thunderstorm and snow shower possible below 17k. Southeast winds
to 15 mph in the morning. High near 5 above.
.TONIGHT...Mostly cloudy becoming partly cloudy. Low near
5 below.
.FRIDAY...Partly cloudy. Southeast winds 15 mph increasing to 20
mph. High near 5 above.
.FRIDAY NIGHT...Partly cloudy. Southeast winds 15 to 25 mph. Low
near 5 below.

&&

.OUTLOOK SATURDAY THROUGH MONDAY...
South winds persist through the weekend 15 to 25 mph at times,
mainly 14k to summit. It does, however, look mostly on the drier
side with partly cloudy skies but maybe some lower clouds toward
base camp and 14k due to upslope winds. Monday is fairly uncertain
but right now it looks unsettled with a disturbance possibly moving
over the Mtn. Stay tuned...

&&

$$
Ahsenmacher Jun 25