Oregon (OR) is located in the northwestern United States. Plate tectonics have created multiple mountain areas within the Oregon landscape, alternating imposing mountains with potentially even more impressive lakes. The combination of high mountains and large lakes makes Oregon a beautiful picture, where many lovers of peace and nature like to stay. In fact, Crater Lake is one of Oregon’s top attractions. With a depth of about 600 meters, this is the deepest lake in the US.
Oregon has a mix of Mediterranean and continental climate types, with the state-wide commonality of dry summers and relatively wet winters. Based on the precipitation index, a cold steppe climate occurs in a small area in southern Oregon. During the winter months, the supply of depressions from the relatively warm Pacific Ocean ensures that the precipitation sum in winter is considerably higher. There are, however, fairly large differences in the eventual average amounts of precipitation within Oregon. This is mainly due to the mountain areas, which can ensure that large amounts of precipitation can fall at one location due to rising rains. On the leeward side of the mountains, the precipitation sum is often much lower.
Climate figures
The figures below are based on long-term average climate statistics. The temperatures are displayed in degrees Celsius (°C).
| maximum temperature | minimum temperature | hours of sunshine per day | days of rainfall per month | |
| January | 9℃ | 2℃ | 3 | 18 |
| February | 11℃ | 1℃ | 4 | 15 |
| March | 14℃ | 3℃ | 6 | 17 |
| April | 16℃ | 4℃ | 8 | 14 |
| May | 20℃ | 7℃ | 9 | 12 |
| June | 23℃ | 10℃ | 11 | 8 |
| July | 28℃ | 12℃ | 12 | 3 |
| August | 28℃ | 12℃ | 11 | 3 |
| September | 25℃ | 9℃ | 9 | 6 |
| October | 18℃ | 6℃ | 6 | 12 |
| November | 11℃ | 4℃ | 3 | 18 |
| December | 8℃ | 1℃ | 2 | 18 |
The climate of Astoria
Astoria is a town in the far northwest of the US state of Oregon. The town is located at the mouth of the Columbia River. Across the street is Washington State. Because the mouth of the river here is quite wide and the river water collides with the sea water at a reasonable speed, there are quite dangerous currents in the river. This complicates shipping. Founded in 1811, Astoria is Oregon’s oldest city. The city is home to many distinctive historic buildings, such as the John Jacob Aster Hotel and the Peter L. Cherry House. A literal highlight in Astoria is the Astoria Column. This column, built in 1926, serves as a monument and a viewpoint. From the platform you have a beautiful view of the city and the surrounding area.
Climate info
Astoria has a temperate Mediterranean climate (Csb climate). Winters are moderately mild, with a lot of precipitation, and summers are dry, with distinctly moderate temperatures. It is mainly the proximity to the Pacific Ocean that influences the weather in Astoria. It is striking that there can sometimes be a significant deviation from the long-term average climate statistics for Astoria. For example, maximum temperatures in summer are normally around 20 degrees, but peaks are possible that exceed 30 degrees. This happens when warmer air is brought in from the east. The chance of such heat occurring is quite small. In an average year there are 1 to 2 days with tropical temperatures.
Precipitation
The annual precipitation sum in Astoria amounts to an average of more than 1700 millimeters, looking at the last three full 24 hours. The period October to March is significantly wetter than the other months. November in particular has a reputation for being a wet month. In winter there is a small chance that precipitation in the form of snow will fall from the sky. Usually it’s just rain.
The climate of Baker City
Baker City is a town in eastern Oregon. Baker City is mainly used by tourists as a stopover or as a base. In the vicinity you will find a number of beautiful car routes and the Hells Canyon. This is one of the deepest river canyons in all of North America. Baker City’s historic downtown area is also worth a visit. There are about a hundred monumental buildings here, which give you a clear impression of what it should have looked like a century ago.
Semi-arid climate
Its location inland means that Baker City has rain shadow. The city benefits from the protection offered by the Oregon mountains against the depressions brought in from the Pacific Ocean. They often rain (almost) completely on the windward side of the mountains, after which little remains for the leeward side, where Baker City is located. Because of this, Baker City has to deal with the semi-arid cool steppe climate (BSk climate). This is based on the annual precipitation sum of approximately 250-260 millimeters and an average annual temperature below 10 degrees.
Temperature
As far as temperatures are concerned, you see a pretty clear contrast between summer and winter. During the coolest months, maximum temperatures in Baker City are just above freezing. At night there is an average to moderate frost, but it can sometimes get extremely cold. When a northerly current gets going that brings in icy arctic air, the temperature can drop below minus 20 degrees at night. In the summer it is remarkably warm in Baker City. The location further inland ensures that the ocean water has less influence. As a result, maximum temperatures of an average of almost 30 degrees during the months of July and August are normal.
The climate of Cannon Beach
Cannon Beach is a coastal town in the US state of Oregon. The seaside resort is a popular place to enjoy beach life. It is a rather upscale town, which is visible in the luxurious hotels and the shopping, which mainly consists of boutiques, with a good range of nicer items. Cannon Beach is characterized by the high level of natural beauty around the resort. Think of the Ecola State Park, which offers several beautiful hiking trails, the slightly further away Hug Point State Park and the Haystack Rock. This more than seventy meters high monolith suddenly rises from the sea. The name is due to the characteristic shape of a haystack.
Climate info
The climate of Cannon Beach fits perfectly with what you expect from a seaside resort. In the summer it is pleasantly warm and fairly dry, so you can enjoy the outdoors to the fullest. The moderate Mediterranean climate (Csb climate) means that it can get quite wet in Cannon Beach during the fairly mild winter. From mid-October you can see the precipitation amounts increase considerably. That lasts until the beginning of April.
Temperature
The temperatures in Cannon Beach in the summer months are on average around or just above 20 degrees. That may not seem so warm for a beach holiday, but in practice it is great weather to stay on the beach during the months of July, August and September. The ocean is fresh. It is relatively warm here in winter, with an average seawater temperature of about 8 to 11 degrees. At the hottest moment (in July and August) the sea water with a temperature of a maximum of about 15 degrees can be called downright fresh. That is a disadvantage for those who would like to go swimming with somewhat comfortable temperatures.
The climate of Coos Bay
Coos Bay is a town on the Oregon coast. The town is located on the Coos Bay of the same name, the place where the Coos River reaches the Pacific Ocean. Coos Bay merges almost seamlessly into the adjacent town of North Bend. Collectively, these two places are often referred to as Coos Bay-North Bend or the Oregon’s Bay Area. There are a number of attractions in the town itself, such as the Oregon Coast Historical Railway and the Coos Art Museum. Visitors mainly use Coos Bay as a base to visit nearby natural areas such as Cape Arago State Park and Shore Acres State Park. A beautiful driving route around Coos Bay is the Cape Arago Beach Loop.
The climate
Coos Bay has a temperate Mediterranean climate. Within the Köppen climate classification system, this is indicated by the abbreviation Csb. Characteristic for this are the fairly dry and warmer summers, combined with moderate, wetter winters.
Coos Bay experiences cool to warm summers, which are so typical of the Oregon coastal region. The average maximum temperatures do not exceed twenty degrees, although it should be noted that the temperature can sometimes rise far above the long-term averages. Then tropical heat is possible, with afternoon temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius. However, this is something that can occur a limited number of times on an annual basis. Some years the mercury barely rises above 25 degrees.
Winter
The winters in Coos Bay can be called mild in terms of temperature. What is remarkable is that it regularly rains in winter. The monthly precipitation sums are on the high side in the period November to March. Due to the limited chance of frost, snow rarely falls in the winter months. On an annual basis, only 2 to 3 centimeters of snow fall, which usually disappears just as quickly as it falls. What you have to take into account in Coos Bay during the winter season is the sometimes very strong wind. Winter storms are no stranger to the coast at Coos Bay.
The climate of the Crater Lake National Park
Crater Lake National Park is a national park in the US state of Oregon. Crater Lake is centrally located in the park. This crater lake is about 7700 years old and was created by a heavy volcanic eruption. With a depth of up to 592 meters, Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the US and one of the deepest lakes in the world. The highest point of the park is Mount Scott. This stratovolcano has a peak that is 2721 meters above sea level. The Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail runs north-south through the park, passing the crater lake on the western side.
Around the Crater Lake there is a subarctic climate of the rather rare Dsc type, which has dry summers as an important characteristic. With an average monthly precipitation sum of 20 to 26 millimeters, July and August are considerably drier than the winter months, in which the monthly amounts of precipitation can exceed 250 millimeters. In total, there is about 1500 to 1600 millimeters of precipitation in Crater Lake National Park. In the summer this is almost always in the form of rain.
Crater Lake National Park is a national park in the US state of Oregon. Crater Lake is centrally located in the park. This crater lake is about 7700 years old and was created by a heavy volcanic eruption. With a depth of up to 592 meters, Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the US and one of the deepest lakes in the world. The highest point of the park is Mount Scott. This stratovolcano has a peak that is 2721 meters above sea level. The Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail runs north-south through the park, passing the crater lake on the western side.
Around the Crater Lake there is a subarctic climate of the rather rare Dsc type, which has dry summers as an important characteristic. With an average monthly precipitation sum of 20 to 26 millimeters, July and August are considerably drier than the winter months, in which the monthly amounts of precipitation can exceed 250 millimeters. In total, there is about 1500 to 1600 millimeters of precipitation in Crater Lake National Park. In the summer this is almost always in the form of rain.
The climate of Enterprise
Enterprise is a town in the northeast of the US state of Oregon. The village is popular with tourists touring this part of the US, especially because of Enterprise’s location. Around the village are all kinds of beautiful pieces of nature, such as the Eagle Cap Wilderness, Wallowa Lake and the Hells Canyon. The Hells Canyon is a 16 kilometer wide gorge through which the Snake flows. People who spend the night in Enterprise do so mainly as a base to visit the area.
Enterprise has a moderate continental climate or a moderate continental climate. Within the Köppen climate system, this is a Dfb climate. It is a climate type that is not as common within Oregon.
Striking for the weather in Enterprise is that there is relatively little precipitation and that the differences between the highest and lowest temperatures are quite large. In the summer months, maximum temperatures are around 28 degrees during the hottest months, while minimum temperatures are around 5 to 6 degrees. Within 24 hours there can already be a great contrast in temperature. In winter, maximums around freezing and minimums around minus 8 to minus 10 degrees are normal. With a bit of bad luck, it can get really cold in Enterprise. Sometimes the night temperatures drop below -30 degrees, which is serious freezing cold.
The climate of Eugene
Eugene is a large city in the central western part of Oregon. Eugene is located in Lane County, at the confluence of the McKenzie and Willamette Rivers. The city originated in the first half of the 19th century as a post office and trading post. The city is named after the founder of this post office, Eugene Skinner. In the city there is still a bronze statue of him at the local library. The University of Oregon is in Eugene. Just outside the city are 2 large ski areas, the Hoodoo ski area (32 slopes and 3 ski lifts) and the Mount Bachelor ski area (71 slopes and 12 ski lifts). In the summer months, the region around the city is very popular with outdoor enthusiasts. You can cycle, jog, raft, kayak and mountain bike here. The Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area is not far from Eugene.
Eugene has a Mediterranean climate, with mild, wet winter months and a warm and dry summer period. There is quite a lot of precipitation in this part of Oregon. There is one clear rainy period here, which lasts from October to April. During the summer months, the mercury can rise above 30 degrees Celsius on the hottest days of the year.
The climate of Gold Beach
Gold Beach is a seaside resort in the US state of Oregon. In total, only more than two thousand people live in Gold Beach permanently, but in the summer months tourism makes it a bit busier. The fairly long sandy beach of Gold Beach offers more than enough space to offer every bather the necessary space. It is the golden beach that eventually gave this place the name Gold Beach. At the foundation it was still called Ellensburgh, whereby the letter ‘h’ was dropped not much later.
Temperate climate
Gold Beach has a temperate Mediterranean climate. Within the Köppen climate classification this is referred to as a Csb climate. Characteristic are the somewhat cool and very wet winters and the moderate, dry summers. It is mainly the lack of rain that makes a stay in Gold Beach during the summer more pleasant. Temperatures are still a bit disappointing on average: the maximums are around 20 degrees during the hottest months. Its location on the Pacific Ocean is the reason that it doesn’t get very hot in Gold Beach in the summer. The seawater is then relatively cool (about 14-15 degrees), which has a dampening effect on the air temperature. The advantage is that the sea water temperature in winter is relatively favorable, which means that it does not freeze so easily in Gold Beach.
The climate of the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument
The John Day Fossil Beds National Monument is a great landmark in the US state of Oregon. The park consists of three parts: the Painted Hills Unit, the Sheep Rock Unit and the Clarno Unit. Each part has its own properties and qualities. The Painted Hills consist of hills that consist of different colored layers. Here you can walk several hiking trails, of which the only 800 meters long Painted Hills Overlook Trail is the most beautiful according to experts. Clarno is an area through which volcanic mudflows flowed. They have ensured that there are many fossils to admire. In Sheep Rock you walk along impressive rock formations.
Mediterranean climate
The John Day Fossil Beds National Monument has a warm Mediterranean climate (Csa climate), thanks to the rain shadow effect. The winters are fairly mild and the summers warm. Maximum temperatures of 30 degrees are normal in July and August. Those who are unlucky that it is a bit warmer, can take a long breather during the walking tours through the beautiful landscapes that you will find here. The chance of rain or snow is not too great. The average annual precipitation sum is around 220 to 430 millimeters. The John Day Fossil Beds National Monument has no distinctly dry or wet months. If you come here in the summer holidays, the chance of a rain shower is quite small. May is fractionally wetter than the other months.
The climate of Klamath Falls
Klamath Falls is a small town in southern Oregon, not far from the California border. Klamath Falls is located in Klamath County, on the Link River. The city originated in the middle of the 19th century in the original habitat of the Klamath and Modoc Indians. It wasn’t until the Southern Pacific Transportation Company settled here in the early 20th century that the population increased significantly. The Oregon Air National Guard and the Oregon Army National Guard are based here.
Klamath Falls has a cold steppe climate, which is characterized by the low rainfall that falls on an annual basis. Most precipitation falls during the winter months and will mainly come down as snow. During the winter months there are long periods of frost and night frost. The summer months are short, with temperatures averaging just below 30 degrees Celsius.
The climate of Medford
Medford is a large city in southwestern Oregon, not far from the California border. Medford is located in Jackson County, on Bear Creek. The city was created in the second half of the 19th century with the arrival of the Oregon and California Railroad. In the early years, the city lived mainly from agriculture and logging. Today, health care is the city’s main source of income.
Medford has a Mediterranean climate, with warm and sometimes hot summer months and a cool but mild winter. Periods of night frost can occur here during the winter period. Most precipitation falls during the winter period, the summer months are almost dry. During the summer months the sun shines here a lot and exuberantly. Medford has more than 2,800 hours of sunshine annually.
The Climate of the Painted Hills
The Painted Hills form an area within the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. The colored hills show beautiful shades, which have been exposed by erosion. The various walks through the Painted Hills show you this beautiful place in the American state of Oregon from different perspectives. According to experts, the Red Hill Trail, the Painted Cove Trail and especially the Painted Hills Overlook Trail are the most worth walking. If you have the time, make sure you can see the colored hills both during the day in bright daylight and at night during the golden hour. Then the hills look very different because of the golden light.
Semi-arid climate
The semi-arid climate that applies in the Painted Hills ensures that you have a fairly high chance of dry weather. On average, about 240-250 millimeters of precipitation falls here on an annual basis, mainly in the form of rain. Snow can occur in the winter months, but the chances of having to walk through a heavily snowy landscape, where the colors of the Painted Hills are not clearly visible, are small. Daytime temperatures in winter are almost always above freezing. Night frost is common in the months of December, January and February. It often stays with light frost. In the summer the thermometers shoot to much higher values. In July and August the maximum temperatures are on average around 30 degrees. That’s just an average where the outliers sometimes shoot over the limit of 35 degrees. Especially September is a more popular travel month, because it is not only quite dry, but also not too hot. A normal afternoon temperature in Painted Hills is about 25 degrees.
The climate of Pendleton
Pendleton is a city located further inland within the US state of Oregon. The many years of history of saloons and illegal opium dens provide a rough touch to the nowadays quiet and atmospheric town. The so-called Underground Tours show you a special side of Pendleton. With a guide you dive into the underground tunnel system, which was built in the nineteenth century, where everything that could not bear the daylight took place in the past. Today, Pendleton is one of Oregon’s safest cities. Pendleton is also known for the great rodeos that are held here. The annual Roundup attracts tens of thousands of visitors.
Cold steppe climate
Thanks in part to the relatively low average annual precipitation sum (300-350 millimetres), Pendleton has a cold steppe climate. Pendleton owes this semi-arid climate type to its sheltered location further east in Oregon. This makes depression less likely to reach Pendleton. There is a good chance that they have already rained out in the western regions of Oregon before they can get here. There are no months in a calendar year that can be classified as ‘wet’. All months are fairly dry; some months, such as July and August, are a bit drier than the rest.
Big differences in temperature
Pendleton has the necessary contrasts in terms of temperature. On average, both the minimum temperatures in winter and the highest temperatures in summer are not too bad. In practice, you see that the average values in Pendleton’s climate statistics sometimes result from quite a few extremes. For example, the maximum temperatures in summer are on average around 30 degrees, but the thermometers occasionally shoot towards 40 degrees or even above. In winter you see such extremes at the minimum temperatures. These are on average a few degrees below zero, but during extreme winter periods it can freeze very hard, with icy cold. Sometimes the temperature dips below -20 degrees.
The climate of Port Orford
Port Orford is the westernmost settlement in the state of Oregon and the westernmost settlement in the 48 contiguous states. The area we now know as Port Orford was inhabited long before the arrival of western settlers. The Native Americans lived here until they were sent to reservations by the settlers. Port Orford is today the oldest existing settlement on the Oregon coast. More than a thousand inhabitants live here, which means that the authenticity and relaxed atmosphere have been preserved.
Maritime climate
Port Orford has a maritime climate, with cool, very wet winters and mild, dry summers. The chance that you will have to deal with prolonged periods of heat in Port Orford is very small. The location on the Pacific Ocean ensures that the heat is tempered in the summer. As a result, the maximum temperatures during the hottest months (July and August) are only around 19-20 degrees. Without the cooling effect of the relatively cold seawater, Port Orford would probably be several degrees warmer during the summer months. In winter, proximity to the ocean works the other way around. Then the seawater is relatively warm, so serious frost hardly gets a chance to strike in Port Orford.
Precipitation
In winter there is quite a bit of rain in Port Orford. Snow is something you rarely see here. The months of November, December and January are especially wet. For example, the average monthly precipitation in December is above 300 millimeters. On an annual basis, the precipitation statistics are about 1800 to 1900 millimeters. The summers are also a lot drier: in both July and August it hardly rains. In total, in these two months together, there is an average of slightly more than 30 millimeters. In two months’ time, that is about 10% of the precipitation sum for the month of December alone.
Portland’s Climate
Portland is a large city in the north of the state of Oregon, near the border with neighboring Washington. Portland is located in Multnomah County, at the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia Rivers. Portland is Oregon’s largest city and one of the 25 largest in the United States of America. Portland is nicknamed the City of Roses, which is why you will find numerous rose beds in the city. The International Rose Test Garden is the largest and best known of these. This rose garden contains more than 7,000 roses of 550 varieties. Portland is home to the Portland Trail Blazers, who play in the National Basketball Association. The Portland Trail Blazers play their home games at The Rose Garden Stadium.
Portland has a Mediterranean climate, which is mainly characterized by the pleasant, warm winter period and the cool, mild winter period. Frost can occur here during the winter months, although it will often be limited to night frost. There is quite a lot of precipitation on an annual basis, especially during the winter period there can be long periods of precipitation. On an annual basis, Portland receives an average of 900 to 1000 millimeters of precipitation. For this region, that’s a fairly low amount, giving Portland residents and visitors a good time. The sun shows itself regularly. On an annual basis you can count on more than 2300 hours of sunshine. In Portland, June, July and August are the sunniest months.
The climate of Redmond
Redmond is a small city in the central part of the US state of Oregon. Remmond is located in Deschutes County, at the foot of the Cascade Mountains. Redmond is a young city that was only created in the early 20th century with the arrival of the Oregon Trunk Railway. Today, the city is very popular with outdoor sports enthusiasts. Mountain biking, fishing, hiking, camping, rock climbing, white water rafting, skiing and golf are especially popular. Smith Rock State Park and the Horse Lava Tube System – also known as the Redmond Caves – are just outside the city.
Redmond has a cold steppe climate, which is characterized by the small amount of precipitation that falls here on an annual basis. The winter months are cold, with long periods of frost and night frost. The mercury can drop below -10 degrees Celsius during these months. Summers are pleasantly warm and dry, with average temperatures just below 30 degrees Celsius. Precipitation in the winter months will mainly consist of snow and sleet.
The climate of Salem
Salem is the capital of Oregon, a state in the northwestern United States. Salem isn’t Oregon’s largest city, Portland is. Official stronghold Salem has been the state capital since 1851. In the year 1855 it had to temporarily relinquish this title to Corvallis.
Salem has a temperate maritime climate, with characteristics of a Mediterranean climate. The weather in Salem is very fickle in the spring and fall. Summers are dry and pleasantly warm, winters wet and moderately mild. As a result, on a total precipitation of about a thousand millimeters per year, only five to ten centimeters of snow fall per year. Snowfall outside the months of December, January and February is rare in Salem.
The climate of Seaside
Seaside is a coastal town in northwestern Oregon. With a population of about seven thousand, Seaside is the largest beach resort in the entire state. The elongated beach with the adjacent boulevard (‘The Prom’) attracts quite a few tourists to Seaside in the summer months. The town’s name is derived from the Seaside House. This historic summer resort was built in the 1870s by the railroad magnate Ben Holladay. The very gradual slope of the wide sandy beaches makes it a great place for razors. These elongated sharp shells occur here in large numbers.
Temperate maritime climate
The difference in precipitation between winter and summer is striking. During the cooler winter period there is a reasonable chance that you will have to deal with rain. The wettest period (November to January) has an average precipitation total of about 900 millimeters. That is almost half of the entire annual sum, which is around 1900 millimetres. Spring and autumn are less wet and the period from July to September can be called quite dry in Seaside. This is immediately referred to as the best time to travel to Seaside. During these months the maximum temperatures are around 20 degrees and, in combination with sunny weather conditions, that is often good enough to sit outside, be busy or sunbathe. If you want to take a dip in the Pacific Ocean, you should realize that the sea water can be on the fresh side.
