All Countries
Weather & Climate in Fossil, OR
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Fossil experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (9°C). Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 65°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 15.1 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 2,658 feet.
Temperature
34°F Jan (1°C)
65°F Jul (18°C)
| Annual Average | 47.4°F |
| 12% below US avg | |
| January Average | 34°F (1°C) |
| July Average | 65°F (18°C) |
| Sunny Days | 311 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,658 ft (810 m) |
| Area | 0.3 sq mi (0.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 574/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 44.9981°N, 120.2146°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Wheeler County County |
| Nearest Airport | Columbia Gorge Regional/The Dalles Municipal (DLS) 63 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 32.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 7.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 75.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 11.9 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
164 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.5.
| Jun 29, 2002 | 6 km ENE of Government Camp, Oregon | M4.5 | 121 km | 5 km |
| Jun 17, 2010 | 30 km S of White Swan, Washington | M4.2 | 130 km | 3 km |
| Jul 14, 2008 | 11 km ESE of Maupin, Oregon | M4.2 | 60 km | 16 km |
| Jan 30, 2000 | 6 km SE of Condon, Oregon | M4.1 | 23 km | -1 km |
| Oct 9, 1998 | 20 km S of White Swan, Washington | M4.0 | 139 km | 2 km |
| Jun 6, 2021 | 6 km NE of Government Camp, Oregon | M3.9 | 122 km | 4 km |
| Aug 7, 1992 | 8 km WSW of Irrigon, Oregon | M3.9 | 108 km | 0 km |
| Nov 18, 1997 | 20 km NW of Bickleton, Washington | M3.9 | 129 km | 15 km |
| Mar 22, 1997 | 10 km ESE of Condon, Oregon | M3.9 | 25 km | 0 km |
| Jun 14, 2007 | 12 km ESE of Maupin, Oregon | M3.8 | 59 km | 18 km |
| Jun 29, 2002 | 7 km NE of Government Camp, Oregon | M3.8 | 121 km | 5 km |
| May 18, 2008 | 11 km SSW of Benton City, Washington | M3.7 | 140 km | 20 km |
| Apr 5, 2008 | 12 km ESE of Maupin, Oregon | M3.6 | 59 km | 18 km |
| Feb 1, 2000 | 7 km SE of Condon, Oregon | M3.6 | 23 km | -1 km |
| Jan 2, 2010 | 10 km ESE of Maupin, Oregon | M3.6 | 60 km | 14 km |
| Mar 1, 2007 | Washington-Oregon border region | M3.6 | 58 km | 23 km |
| Apr 20, 2009 | 10 km ESE of Maupin, Oregon | M3.6 | 60 km | 15 km |
| Oct 19, 1990 | 6 km NE of Government Camp, Oregon | M3.5 | 122 km | 5 km |
| Aug 31, 1999 | Washington-Oregon border region | M3.5 | 23 km | 3 km |
| Feb 9, 2021 | 0 km SE of Parkdale, Oregon | M3.5 | 122 km | 6 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
8 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF1.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jul 19, 2004 | EF1 | 81 km | 2.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 8, 2016 | EF0 | 55 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 14, 2011 | EF0 | 61 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 9, 2004 | EF0 | 84 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Oct 4, 2003 | EF0 | 93 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 16, 1993 | EF0 | 79 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| May 11, 1970 | EF0 | 94 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 12, 1957 | EF0 | 55 km | 16.2 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
11 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Hood (123 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Hood | Stratovolcano | 3,426 m (11,240 ft) | 1866 | 123 km |
| Jefferson | Stratovolcano | 3,199 m (10,495 ft) | 950 | 130 km |
| Belknap | Shield(s) | 2,095 m (6,873 ft) | 480 | 151 km |
| Sand Mountain Field | Pyroclastic cone(s) | 1,664 m (5,459 ft) | -950 | 152 km |
| Three Sisters | Complex | 3,159 m (10,364 ft) | 440 | 156 km |
| Indian Heaven | Shield(s) | 1,806 m (5,925 ft) | -6250 | 163 km |
| Bachelor | Stratovolcano | 2,763 m (9,065 ft) | -5800 | 163 km |
| Newberry | Shield | 2,434 m (7,986 ft) | 690 | 163 km |
| Adams | Stratovolcano | 3,742 m (12,277 ft) | 950 | 167 km |
| Devils Garden | Volcanic field | 1,698 m (5,571 ft) | Unknown | 173 km |
| West Crater | Volcanic field | 1,329 m (4,360 ft) | -5750 | 176 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: BATTLE MOUNTAIN COMPLEX (184,979 acres, 2024).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2024 | BATTLE MOUNTAIN COMPLEX | 184,979 | 74 km |
| 1996 | SIMNASHO | 118,466 | 87 km |
| 2018 | BOXCAR 0410 RN | 99,874 | 62 km |
| 2011 | HANCOCK COMPLEX | 71,495 | 16 km |
| 2017 | NENA SPRINGS | 70,074 | 77 km |
| 2018 | SUBSTATION 0730 RN | 69,109 | 80 km |
| 2015 | COUNTY LINE 2 | 68,189 | 96 km |
| 2011 | 0655 RAZOR BACK EAST | 65,350 | 64 km |
| 2023 | NEWELL ROAD | 61,833 | 95 km |
| 2007 | MONUMENT COMPLEX (RED HILL FIRE) | 54,572 | 64 km |
| 2024 | BIG HORN | 51,023 | 97 km |
| 2013 | SUNNYSIDE TURNOFF | 50,028 | 77 km |
| 2018 | STUBBLEFIELD 1008 RN | 49,160 | 31 km |
| 2018 | JENNIES PEAK 1039 RN | 47,664 | 21 km |
| 2008 | COAL PLANT | 45,801 | 86 km |
| 2014 | BLACK ROCK | 40,760 | 27 km |
| 2014 | SHANIKO BUTTE | 39,852 | 76 km |
| 2015 | HIGHWAY 8 | 35,296 | 89 km |
| 2018 | LONG HOLLOW 0806 RN | 33,662 | 71 km |
| 1994 | LECLAIRE | 32,087 | 81 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 34°F (1°C) | 1.9 in | |
| February | 35°F (2°C) | 1.4 in | |
| March | 39°F (4°C) | 1.5 in | |
| April | 44°F (7°C) | 1.4 in | |
| May | 51°F (10°C) | 1.4 in | |
| June | 58°F (14°C) | 1.2 in | |
| July | 65°F (18°C) | 0.6 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 65°F (18°C) | 0.8 in | |
| September | 57°F (14°C) | 0.9 in | |
| October | 48°F (9°C) | 1.2 in | |
| November | 38°F (3°C) | 2.2 in | Wettest |
| December | 32°F (-0°C) | 2.0 in | Coldest |
Fossil has a seasonal temperature swing of 33°F / from 32°F in December to 65°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 16.3 inches, with November being the wettest month (2.2") and July the driest (0.6").