Weather & Climate in Athena, OR

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Athena enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 37°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. The area gets 311 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Annual precipitation totals 16.2 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 7.2 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32. The city sits at an elevation of 1,720 feet.

Temperature

37°F Jan (3°C) 77°F Jul (25°C)

Annual Average	55.5°F
	3% above US avg
January Average	37°F (3°C)
July Average	77°F (25°C)
Sunny Days	311 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,720 ft (524 m)
Area	0.6 sq mi (1.5 km²)
Population Density	2,079/sq mi
Coordinates	45.8133°N, 118.4926°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	Umatilla County County
Nearest Airport	Eastern Oregon Regional At Pendleton (PDT) 17 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 16.2"

58% below US avg

Snowfall 7.2"

Wettest Month (Nov) 2.72"

Driest Month (Jul) 0.55"

Air Quality

AQI Median	32.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	82.3 / 100
Social Vulnerability	59.6 / 100
Community Resilience	15.9 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very Low
Earthquake	Relatively Low
Wildfire	Relatively Moderate
Flood	Relatively Moderate
Hail	Relatively Low
Strong Wind	Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave	Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather	Relatively High
Lightning	Relatively Low
Ice Storm	Relatively High
Drought	Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave	Relatively High
Landslide	Relatively Moderate
Volcano	Very Low
Avalanche	Relatively Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

165 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.3.

Nov 28, 1991	7 km S of Walla Walla East, Washington	M4.3	24 km	9 km
Jan 30, 2000	6 km SE of Condon, Oregon	M4.1	145 km	-1 km
Jul 14, 1992	6 km S of Walla Walla East, Washington	M4.1	25 km	11 km
Mar 22, 1997	10 km ESE of Condon, Oregon	M3.9	141 km	0 km
Aug 7, 1992	8 km WSW of Irrigon, Oregon	M3.9	85 km	0 km
Jun 28, 1998	3 km SE of Genesee, Idaho	M3.8	147 km	10 km
May 18, 2008	11 km SSW of Benton City, Washington	M3.7	91 km	20 km
Sep 4, 2011	14 km N of Richland, Washington	M3.7	89 km	2 km
Feb 1, 2000	7 km SE of Condon, Oregon	M3.6	144 km	-1 km
Jan 23, 2015	3 km N of Cayuse, Oregon	M3.5	12 km	20 km
Aug 31, 1999	Washington-Oregon border region	M3.5	143 km	3 km
Jan 30, 2000	8 km SE of Condon, Oregon	M3.4	144 km	-1 km
Jan 13, 1994	11 km SW of Lind, Washington	M3.4	121 km	0 km
Nov 6, 1997	22 km SE of Desert Aire, Washington	M3.4	123 km	22 km
Oct 15, 2011	13 km N of Richland, Washington	M3.4	89 km	1 km
Jun 17, 2004	11 km SSE of Washtucna, Washington	M3.4	97 km	17 km
Dec 15, 1991	6 km SSW of Walla Walla East, Washington	M3.3	24 km	8 km
Feb 28, 2004	10 km WSW of Wallula, Washington	M3.3	48 km	1 km
Aug 27, 2000	16 km W of Richland, Oregon	M3.3	148 km	0 km
Jun 12, 1995	13 km N of Richland, Washington	M3.3	89 km	1 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

24 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 11, 1968	EF2	90 km	9.6 mi	0
Mar 14, 1966	EF2	93 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 26, 1958	EF2	44 km	0.3 mi	0
May 6, 2022	EF1	17 km	2.9 mi	0
May 6, 2009	EF1	11 km	1.6 mi	0
May 19, 2006	EF1	92 km	0.1 mi	0
Jan 16, 2000	EF1	68 km	1.0 mi	0
Apr 23, 1983	EF1	89 km	3.0 mi	0
Mar 5, 2024	EF0	8 km	0.2 mi	0
Jun 27, 2023	EF0	25 km	0.1 mi	0
Mar 31, 2020	EF0	84 km	0.1 mi	0
May 22, 2016	EF0	68 km	0.2 mi	0
May 9, 2013	EF0	93 km	0.1 mi	0
May 6, 2009	EF0	79 km	0.2 mi	0
May 23, 2004	EF0	61 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 13, 2002	EF0	29 km	0.2 mi	0
Jul 9, 1995	EF0	59 km	0.1 mi	0
May 1, 1991	EF0	11 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 24, 1987	EF0	32 km	0.2 mi	0
Jun 21, 1983	EF0	60 km	0.1 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: COLUMBIA COMPLEX (118,865 acres, 2006).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2006	COLUMBIA COMPLEX	118,865	66 km
2021	LICK CREEK	80,376	95 km
2015	BUTTE CREEK	79,418	72 km
2005	SCHOOL	51,701	86 km
1996	TOWER	50,827	88 km
2008	COAL PLANT	45,801	96 km
2021	GREEN RIDGE	44,604	76 km
1986	JOSEPH/STARVATION	37,064	100 km
2000	UNNAMED	27,815	70 km
2021	ELBOW CREEK	23,103	70 km
2022	STURGILL	21,641	93 km
1996	UNNAMED	21,130	34 km
2005	WALKER CANYON	20,764	72 km
2010	EUREKA	19,811	71 km
2024	JACK CANYON MUTUAL AID	18,287	57 km
2023	HAT ROCK	17,264	44 km
1990	LOCUSTGROV	17,187	63 km
2020	KAHLOTUS	16,738	81 km
2010	UNNAMED	16,737	87 km
2009	NORTH FORK COMPLEX	16,461	100 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	37°F (3°C)	2.6 in
February	37°F (3°C)	2.0 in
March	42°F (5°C)	2.1 in
April	47°F (8°C)	1.7 in
May	54°F (12°C)	1.7 in
June	61°F (16°C)	1.3 in
July	77°F (25°C)	0.6 in	Warmest, Driest
August	68°F (20°C)	0.8 in
September	60°F (15°C)	1.0 in
October	50°F (10°C)	1.7 in
November	39°F (4°C)	2.7 in	Wettest
December	33°F (0°C)	2.6 in	Coldest

Athena has a seasonal temperature swing of 44°F / from 33°F in December to 77°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 20.6 inches, with November being the wettest month (2.7") and July the driest (0.6").

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