Weather & Climate in Elgin, OR

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

Elgin experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. The area gets 276 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 26.0 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32. The city sits at an elevation of 2,687 feet.

Temperature

32°F Jan (0°C) 67°F Jul (19°C)

Annual Average	48.1°F
	11% below US avg
January Average	32°F (0°C)
July Average	67°F (19°C)
Sunny Days	276 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	2,687 ft (819 m)
Area	0.4 sq mi (1.0 km²)
Population Density	1,576/sq mi
Coordinates	45.5647°N, 117.9213°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	Union County County
Nearest Airport	Walla Walla Regional (ALW) 40 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 26.0"

32% below US avg

Wettest Month (Dec) 3.07"

Driest Month (Jul) 0.67"

Air Quality

AQI Median	32.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	43.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability	51.8 / 100
Community Resilience	34.2 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

117 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	56 km	9 km
Jul 14, 1992	6 km S of Walla Walla East, Washington	M4.1	56 km	11 km
Oct 27, 1994	11 km SE of Halfway, Oregon	M4.0	110 km	10 km
Aug 7, 1992	8 km WSW of Irrigon, Oregon	M3.9	134 km	0 km
Jun 28, 1998	3 km SE of Genesee, Idaho	M3.8	134 km	10 km
May 18, 2008	11 km SSW of Benton City, Washington	M3.7	143 km	20 km
Sep 4, 2011	14 km N of Richland, Washington	M3.7	140 km	2 km
Jan 23, 2015	3 km N of Cayuse, Oregon	M3.5	52 km	20 km
Dec 24, 1999	18 km WNW of New Meadows, Idaho	M3.5	126 km	3 km
Jun 17, 2004	11 km SSE of Washtucna, Washington	M3.4	125 km	17 km
Oct 15, 2011	13 km N of Richland, Washington	M3.4	140 km	1 km
May 1, 2011	13 km N of Richland, Washington	M3.3	139 km	2 km
Feb 28, 2004	10 km WSW of Wallula, Washington	M3.3	100 km	1 km
Aug 27, 2000	16 km W of Richland, Oregon	M3.3	101 km	0 km
Jun 12, 1995	13 km N of Richland, Washington	M3.3	140 km	1 km
Jun 16, 1992	10 km ESE of Halfway, Oregon	M3.3	109 km	5 km
Jul 20, 1998	9 km ESE of Halfway, Oregon	M3.3	107 km	12 km
Dec 15, 1991	6 km SSW of Walla Walla East, Washington	M3.3	57 km	8 km
Nov 17, 2013	13 km NNE of West Richland, Washington	M3.2	141 km	0 km
Jul 19, 1998	10 km ESE of Halfway, Oregon	M3.2	109 km	11 km

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

Tornado History

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

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 11, 1968	EF2	55 km	9.6 mi	0
Jun 26, 1958	EF2	96 km	0.3 mi	0
May 6, 2022	EF1	37 km	2.9 mi	0
May 6, 2009	EF1	49 km	1.6 mi	0
Jan 16, 2000	EF1	84 km	1.0 mi	0
Mar 5, 2024	EF0	52 km	0.2 mi	0
Jun 27, 2023	EF0	54 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 12, 2016	EF0	69 km	1.0 mi	0
May 9, 2013	EF0	43 km	0.1 mi	0
May 6, 2009	EF0	30 km	0.2 mi	0
Aug 21, 2006	EF0	50 km	0.2 mi	0
Jun 23, 2004	EF0	78 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 13, 2002	EF0	72 km	0.2 mi	0
May 17, 1996	EF0	100 km	0.1 mi	0
May 11, 1995	EF0	88 km	0.1 mi	0
May 1, 1991	EF0	60 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 24, 1987	EF0	64 km	0.2 mi	0
Jun 21, 1983	EF0	24 km	0.1 mi	0
Sep 16, 1975	EF0	82 km	0.1 mi	0
May 22, 1964	EF0	65 km	10.7 mi	0

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

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: DOUBLE CREEK (171,012 acres, 2022).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2022	DOUBLE CREEK	171,012	99 km
2000	MALONEY CREEK	131,397	96 km
2006	COLUMBIA COMPLEX	118,865	68 km
2021	LICK CREEK	80,376	83 km
2015	BUTTE CREEK	79,418	55 km
2012	CACHE CREEK	75,521	88 km
2014	BIG COUGAR	65,397	96 km
1988	TEEPEE BUTTE	59,565	85 km
2005	SCHOOL	51,701	84 km
1996	TOWER	50,827	84 km
2007	CHIMNEY COMPLEX	50,646	98 km
2017	POWERLINE	45,449	98 km
2021	GREEN RIDGE	44,604	69 km
1986	JOSEPH/STARVATION	37,064	63 km
2021	ELBOW CREEK	23,103	42 km
2022	STURGILL	21,641	42 km
1996	UNNAMED	21,130	86 km
1989	CANAL	18,596	77 km
2024	JACK CANYON MUTUAL AID	18,287	83 km
2005	TRYON COMPLEX (CHERRY CREEK)	17,794	90 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	32°F (0°C)	2.8 in
February	33°F (1°C)	2.2 in
March	39°F (4°C)	2.1 in
April	45°F (7°C)	1.7 in
May	52°F (11°C)	1.9 in
June	58°F (15°C)	1.6 in
July	67°F (19°C)	0.7 in	Warmest, Driest
August	65°F (18°C)	0.9 in
September	56°F (14°C)	1.1 in
October	47°F (8°C)	1.7 in
November	37°F (3°C)	2.8 in
December	30°F (-1°C)	3.1 in	Coldest, Wettest

Elgin has a seasonal temperature swing of 37°F / from 30°F in December to 67°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 22.5 inches, with December being the wettest month (3.1") and July the driest (0.7").

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