Weather & Climate in Helix, OR

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

Helix experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (10°C). Winters average 35°F in January while summers reach 71°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 17.2 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 14.9 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32. The city sits at an elevation of 1,756 feet.

Temperature

35°F Jan (2°C) 71°F Jul (22°C)

Annual Average	50.6°F
	6% below US avg
January Average	35°F (2°C)
July Average	71°F (22°C)
Sunny Days	311 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,756 ft (535 m)
Area	0.1 sq mi (0.3 km²)
Population Density	3,192/sq mi
Coordinates	45.8506°N, 118.6591°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	Umatilla County County
Nearest Airport	Eastern Oregon Regional At Pendleton (PDT) 12 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 17.2"

55% below US avg

Snowfall 14.9"

Wettest Month (Nov) 2.09"

Driest Month (Jul) 0.47"

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

168 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	31 km	9 km
Jul 14, 1992	6 km S of Walla Walla East, Washington	M4.1	31 km	11 km
Jan 30, 2000	6 km SE of Condon, Oregon	M4.1	135 km	-1 km
Aug 7, 1992	8 km WSW of Irrigon, Oregon	M3.9	72 km	0 km
Mar 22, 1997	10 km ESE of Condon, Oregon	M3.9	132 km	0 km
Nov 18, 1997	20 km NW of Bickleton, Washington	M3.9	144 km	15 km
Sep 4, 2011	14 km N of Richland, Washington	M3.7	78 km	2 km
May 18, 2008	11 km SSW of Benton City, Washington	M3.7	77 km	20 km
Feb 1, 2000	7 km SE of Condon, Oregon	M3.6	135 km	-1 km
Jan 23, 2015	3 km N of Cayuse, Oregon	M3.5	18 km	20 km
Aug 31, 1999	Washington-Oregon border region	M3.5	134 km	3 km
Oct 12, 2017	25 km NW of Bickleton, Washington	M3.4	149 km	13 km
Oct 15, 2011	13 km N of Richland, Washington	M3.4	78 km	1 km
Jan 13, 1994	11 km SW of Lind, Washington	M3.4	115 km	0 km
Nov 6, 1997	22 km SE of Desert Aire, Washington	M3.4	111 km	22 km
Jan 30, 2000	8 km SE of Condon, Oregon	M3.4	135 km	-1 km
Jun 17, 2004	11 km SSE of Washtucna, Washington	M3.4	97 km	17 km
Dec 22, 1990	9 km NW of Mattawa, Washington	M3.4	147 km	3 km
Dec 15, 1991	6 km SSW of Walla Walla East, Washington	M3.3	30 km	8 km
Nov 18, 1997	19 km NW of Bickleton, Washington	M3.3	143 km	15 km

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

Tornado History

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

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Mar 14, 1966	EF2	98 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 26, 1958	EF2	32 km	0.3 mi	0
May 6, 2022	EF1	30 km	2.9 mi	0
May 6, 2009	EF1	18 km	1.6 mi	0
May 19, 2006	EF1	79 km	0.1 mi	0
Jan 16, 2000	EF1	73 km	1.0 mi	0
Apr 23, 1983	EF1	80 km	3.0 mi	0
Jul 1, 1978	EF1	99 km	2.3 mi	0
Mar 5, 2024	EF0	19 km	0.2 mi	0
Jun 27, 2023	EF0	33 km	0.1 mi	0
Mar 31, 2020	EF0	72 km	0.1 mi	0
May 22, 2016	EF0	55 km	0.2 mi	0
Apr 14, 2011	EF0	95 km	0.2 mi	0
May 6, 2009	EF0	92 km	0.2 mi	0
Jun 7, 2004	EF0	87 km	0.5 mi	0
May 23, 2004	EF0	49 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 13, 2002	EF0	21 km	0.2 mi	0
Jul 9, 1995	EF0	46 km	0.1 mi	0
May 1, 1991	EF0	8 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 24, 1987	EF0	36 km	0.2 mi	0

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

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: 24 COMMAND (162,300 acres, 2000).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2000	24 COMMAND	162,300	97 km
1984	HANFORD	122,914	95 km
2006	COLUMBIA COMPLEX	118,865	75 km
2015	BUTTE CREEK	79,418	83 km
2005	SCHOOL	51,701	94 km
1996	TOWER	50,827	91 km
2008	COAL PLANT	45,801	84 km
2021	GREEN RIDGE	44,604	86 km
2000	UNNAMED	27,815	62 km
2015	UNNAMED	27,736	89 km
2021	ELBOW CREEK	23,103	83 km
1996	UNNAMED	21,130	23 km
2005	WALKER CANYON	20,764	68 km
2010	EUREKA	19,811	67 km
2024	JACK CANYON MUTUAL AID	18,287	53 km
2023	HAT ROCK	17,264	30 km
1990	LOCUSTGROV	17,187	50 km
2020	KAHLOTUS	16,738	76 km
2010	UNNAMED	16,737	85 km
2018	LAKE WALLULA	11,972	31 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	35°F (2°C)	1.9 in
February	38°F (3°C)	1.5 in
March	44°F (7°C)	1.6 in
April	50°F (10°C)	1.2 in
May	57°F (14°C)	1.3 in
June	64°F (18°C)	0.9 in
July	71°F (22°C)	0.5 in	Warmest, Driest
August	71°F (22°C)	0.6 in
September	62°F (17°C)	0.8 in
October	51°F (11°C)	1.2 in
November	41°F (5°C)	2.1 in	Wettest
December	34°F (1°C)	1.9 in	Coldest

Helix has a seasonal temperature swing of 37°F / from 34°F in December to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 15.5 inches, with November being the wettest month (2.1") and July the driest (0.5").

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