Weather & Climate in Baker City, OR

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

Baker City experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. The area gets 293 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 9.1 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 28 / among the cleanest air in the country. 76% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 3,447 feet.

Temperature

29°F Jan (-2°C) 69°F Jul (20°C)

Annual Average	47.6°F
	12% below US avg
January Average	29°F (-2°C)
July Average	69°F (20°C)
Sunny Days	293 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	3,447 ft (1,051 m)
Area	7.2 sq mi (18.5 km²)
Population Density	1,412/sq mi
Coordinates	44.7749°N, 117.8320°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	Baker County County
Nearest Airport	Grant County Regional/Ogilvie Field (JDA) 62 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 9.1"

76% below US avg

Wettest Month (Dec) 1.42"

Driest Month (Jul) 0.63"

Air Quality

AQI Median	28.0
Rating	Good
Good Days %	76.2%
Unhealthy Days	3

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	48.2 / 100
Social Vulnerability	69.4 / 100
Community Resilience	46.0 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

153 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.9.

Feb 26, 2024	10 km N of Smiths Ferry, Idaho	M4.9	143 km	12 km
Nov 28, 1991	7 km S of Walla Walla East, Washington	M4.3	140 km	9 km
Jul 14, 1992	6 km S of Walla Walla East, Washington	M4.1	140 km	11 km
Oct 27, 1994	11 km SE of Halfway, Oregon	M4.0	66 km	10 km
Oct 4, 2002	15 km W of Cascade, Idaho	M3.8	130 km	5 km
Apr 6, 1995	11 km N of Smiths Ferry, Idaho	M3.7	144 km	5 km
Mar 12, 2023	11 km S of Donnelly, Idaho	M3.7	140 km	12 km
Sep 14, 2000	4 km W of Smiths Ferry, Idaho	M3.7	143 km	7 km
Jan 23, 2015	3 km N of Cayuse, Oregon	M3.5	118 km	20 km
Mar 1, 2024	8 km N of Smiths Ferry, Idaho	M3.5	144 km	10 km
Apr 24, 2007	12 km WSW of Cascade, Idaho	M3.5	136 km	5 km
Apr 6, 2002	9 km NW of Cascade, Idaho	M3.5	136 km	5 km
Dec 24, 1999	18 km WNW of New Meadows, Idaho	M3.5	111 km	3 km
Mar 12, 2024	8 km NNW of Smiths Ferry, Idaho	M3.5	142 km	16 km
Mar 5, 2024	8 km N of Smiths Ferry, Idaho	M3.5	145 km	10 km
Aug 3, 2002	8 km NNW of Smiths Ferry, Idaho	M3.5	142 km	5 km
Mar 17, 1995	5 km S of Cascade, Idaho	M3.5	145 km	5 km
Oct 4, 2002	15 km W of Cascade, Idaho	M3.4	131 km	5 km
Apr 6, 2024	9 km NNW of Smiths Ferry, Idaho	M3.4	142 km	14 km
Oct 4, 2002	20 km WSW of Cascade, Idaho	M3.4	127 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

16 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 1 injury.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 4, 2006	EF2	92 km	12.0 mi	0
May 17, 1996	EF1	90 km	5.5 mi	0
Jul 9, 1990	EF1	84 km	0.1 mi	0
Nov 5, 2023	EF0	95 km	0.2 mi	0
May 9, 2013	EF0	91 km	0.1 mi	0
May 6, 2009	EF0	92 km	0.2 mi	0
Aug 21, 2006	EF0	86 km	0.2 mi	0
Jun 23, 2004	EF0	11 km	0.1 mi	0
Sep 13, 2001	EF0	90 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 17, 1997	EF0	98 km	0.2 mi	0
Apr 30, 1997	EF0	70 km	1.0 mi	0
May 17, 1996	EF0	59 km	0.1 mi	0
May 11, 1995	EF0	1 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 22, 1992	EF0	90 km	0.5 mi	0
Jun 21, 1983	EF0	68 km	0.1 mi	0
Sep 16, 1975	EF0	6 km	0.1 mi	0

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

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Jordan Craters (183 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Jordan Craters	Volcanic field	1,473 m (4,833 ft)	-1250	183 km

Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: COW VALLEY (134,642 acres, 2024).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2024	COW VALLEY	134,642	67 km
2015	CANYON CREEK COMPLEX	109,786	96 km
2015	CORNET-WINDY RIDGE	102,553	22 km
2020	WOODHEAD	98,995	84 km
2000	JACKSON	80,733	86 km
2006	FOSTER GULCH	52,496	72 km
1996	TOWER	50,827	74 km
2015	BENDIRE COMPLEX	49,260	84 km
2007	IRISH SPRING	47,845	68 km
2020	INDIAN CREEK	46,275	97 km
2016	RAIL	43,813	63 km
2022	WILLOW CREEK	38,585	81 km
1996	BULL COMPLEX (SUMMIT)	36,318	69 km
2024	THOMPSON	31,066	42 km
1986	TUB MTN	27,008	93 km
2021	BLACK BUTTE	24,736	84 km
2007	WARM SPRINGS	24,611	78 km
2005	SNAKE ONE	24,056	63 km
2002	MONUMENT-MALHEUR COMPLEX (MONUMENT)	23,860	65 km
2024	COYOTE	21,880	57 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	29°F (-2°C)	1.3 in
February	31°F (-1°C)	0.9 in
March	37°F (3°C)	1.0 in
April	43°F (6°C)	0.9 in
May	51°F (11°C)	1.3 in
June	59°F (15°C)	1.3 in
July	69°F (20°C)	0.6 in	Warmest, Driest
August	67°F (19°C)	0.9 in
September	58°F (14°C)	0.8 in
October	47°F (8°C)	0.7 in
November	35°F (1°C)	1.3 in
December	26°F (-3°C)	1.4 in	Coldest, Wettest

Baker City has a seasonal temperature swing of 42°F / from 26°F in December to 69°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 12.4 inches, with December being the wettest month (1.4") and July the driest (0.6").

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