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Weather & Climate in Joseph, OR
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Joseph has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 27°F in January while summers reach 64°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 16.9 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 54.2 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32. The city sits at an elevation of 4,192 feet.
Temperature
27°F Jan (-3°C)
64°F Jul (18°C)
| Annual Average | 44.2°F |
| 18% below US avg | |
| January Average | 27°F (-3°C) |
| July Average | 64°F (18°C) |
| Sunny Days | 311 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 4,192 ft (1,278 m) |
| Area | 0.3 sq mi (0.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,198/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 45.3525°N, 117.2304°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Wallowa County County |
| Nearest Airport | Walla Walla Regional (ALW) 72 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 32.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 34.0 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 83.5 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 66.1 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | Relatively High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
180 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 | 139 km | 12 km |
| Nov 28, 1991 | 7 km S of Walla Walla East, Washington | M4.3 | 110 km | 9 km |
| Jul 14, 1992 | 6 km S of Walla Walla East, Washington | M4.1 | 110 km | 11 km |
| Oct 27, 1994 | 11 km SE of Halfway, Oregon | M4.0 | 63 km | 10 km |
| Oct 4, 2002 | 15 km W of Cascade, Idaho | M3.8 | 123 km | 5 km |
| Jun 28, 1998 | 3 km SE of Genesee, Idaho | M3.8 | 134 km | 10 km |
| Apr 6, 1995 | 11 km N of Smiths Ferry, Idaho | M3.7 | 138 km | 5 km |
| Sep 14, 2000 | 4 km W of Smiths Ferry, Idaho | M3.7 | 145 km | 7 km |
| Mar 12, 2023 | 11 km S of Donnelly, Idaho | M3.7 | 121 km | 12 km |
| Jan 23, 2015 | 3 km N of Cayuse, Oregon | M3.5 | 110 km | 20 km |
| Mar 17, 1995 | 5 km S of Cascade, Idaho | M3.5 | 135 km | 5 km |
| Apr 6, 2002 | 9 km NW of Cascade, Idaho | M3.5 | 122 km | 5 km |
| Apr 24, 2007 | 12 km WSW of Cascade, Idaho | M3.5 | 130 km | 5 km |
| Mar 12, 2024 | 8 km NNW of Smiths Ferry, Idaho | M3.5 | 139 km | 16 km |
| Mar 5, 2024 | 8 km N of Smiths Ferry, Idaho | M3.5 | 141 km | 10 km |
| Aug 3, 2002 | 8 km NNW of Smiths Ferry, Idaho | M3.5 | 139 km | 5 km |
| Dec 24, 1999 | 18 km WNW of New Meadows, Idaho | M3.5 | 67 km | 3 km |
| Mar 1, 2024 | 8 km N of Smiths Ferry, Idaho | M3.5 | 140 km | 10 km |
| Apr 6, 2024 | 9 km NNW of Smiths Ferry, Idaho | M3.4 | 139 km | 14 km |
| Oct 4, 2002 | 15 km W of Cascade, Idaho | M3.4 | 124 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
14 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 1 injury.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 4, 2006 | EF2 | 54 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 11, 1968 | EF2 | 54 km | 9.6 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 2022 | EF1 | 95 km | 2.9 mi | 0 |
| Jul 12, 2016 | EF0 | 22 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| May 9, 2013 | EF0 | 22 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 2009 | EF0 | 35 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Aug 21, 2006 | EF0 | 12 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 23, 2004 | EF0 | 71 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 17, 1996 | EF0 | 54 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 11, 1995 | EF0 | 79 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 22, 1992 | EF0 | 47 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 22, 1992 | EF0 | 44 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 1983 | EF0 | 64 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 16, 1975 | EF0 | 75 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: DOUBLE CREEK (171,012 acres, 2022).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2022 | DOUBLE CREEK | 171,012 | 49 km |
| 1994 | CORRAL CREEK-BLACKWELL COMPLEX | 140,101 | 97 km |
| 2000 | MALONEY CREEK | 131,397 | 73 km |
| 2021 | SHOVEL CREEK | 109,829 | 82 km |
| 2015 | CORNET-WINDY RIDGE | 102,553 | 93 km |
| 2020 | WOODHEAD | 98,995 | 76 km |
| 2015 | TEPEE SPRINGS | 94,878 | 87 km |
| 2021 | LICK CREEK | 80,376 | 98 km |
| 2015 | BUTTE CREEK | 79,418 | 79 km |
| 2007 | BATTLE CREEK COMPLEX (BATTLE CREEK) | 79,114 | 46 km |
| 2012 | CACHE CREEK | 75,521 | 67 km |
| 2014 | BIG COUGAR | 65,397 | 78 km |
| 2007 | POE CABIN | 59,704 | 68 km |
| 1988 | TEEPEE BUTTE | 59,565 | 62 km |
| 2006 | FOSTER GULCH | 52,496 | 55 km |
| 2012 | SHEEP | 50,769 | 84 km |
| 2007 | CHIMNEY COMPLEX | 50,646 | 83 km |
| 1996 | SALT COMPLEX (SALT CREEK) | 50,250 | 57 km |
| 2017 | POWERLINE | 45,449 | 76 km |
| 2021 | GREEN RIDGE | 44,604 | 95 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 27°F (-3°C) | 1.5 in | |
| February | 30°F (-1°C) | 1.0 in | |
| March | 35°F (2°C) | 1.2 in | |
| April | 42°F (5°C) | 1.3 in | |
| May | 49°F (9°C) | 1.9 in | |
| June | 55°F (13°C) | 2.1 in | Wettest |
| July | 64°F (18°C) | 0.8 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 62°F (16°C) | 1.0 in | |
| September | 54°F (12°C) | 1.1 in | |
| October | 45°F (7°C) | 1.2 in | |
| November | 33°F (1°C) | 1.4 in | |
| December | 25°F (-4°C) | 1.6 in | Coldest |
Joseph has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 25°F in December to 64°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 16.1 inches, with June being the wettest month (2.1") and July the driest (0.8").