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Weather & Climate in La Grande, OR
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
La Grande experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°F (10°C). Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 70°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 17.4 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 9.4 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32. The city sits at an elevation of 2,774 feet.
Temperature
32°F Jan (-0°C)
70°F Jul (21°C)
| Annual Average | 49.4°F |
| 9% below US avg | |
| January Average | 32°F (-0°C) |
| July Average | 70°F (21°C) |
| Sunny Days | 311 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,774 ft (846 m) |
| Area | 1.8 sq mi (4.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 2,839/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 45.3245°N, 118.0869°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Umatilla County County |
| Nearest Airport | Eastern Oregon Regional At Pendleton (PDT) 43 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
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
93 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 | 76 km | 9 km |
| Jul 14, 1992 | 6 km S of Walla Walla East, Washington | M4.1 | 76 km | 11 km |
| Oct 27, 1994 | 11 km SE of Halfway, Oregon | M4.0 | 102 km | 10 km |
| Aug 7, 1992 | 8 km WSW of Irrigon, Oregon | M3.9 | 131 km | 0 km |
| May 18, 2008 | 11 km SSW of Benton City, Washington | M3.7 | 147 km | 20 km |
| Jan 23, 2015 | 3 km N of Cayuse, Oregon | M3.5 | 56 km | 20 km |
| Dec 24, 1999 | 18 km WNW of New Meadows, Idaho | M3.5 | 129 km | 3 km |
| Feb 28, 2004 | 10 km WSW of Wallula, Washington | M3.3 | 107 km | 1 km |
| Jul 20, 1998 | 9 km ESE of Halfway, Oregon | M3.3 | 100 km | 12 km |
| Jun 16, 1992 | 10 km ESE of Halfway, Oregon | M3.3 | 102 km | 5 km |
| Aug 27, 2000 | 16 km W of Richland, Oregon | M3.3 | 86 km | 0 km |
| Dec 15, 1991 | 6 km SSW of Walla Walla East, Washington | M3.3 | 77 km | 8 km |
| Nov 23, 2001 | 6 km WNW of New Meadows, Idaho | M3.2 | 140 km | 0 km |
| Jul 19, 1998 | 10 km ESE of Halfway, Oregon | M3.2 | 102 km | 11 km |
| Jul 25, 2009 | 10 km NW of Brogan, Oregon | M3.2 | 119 km | 7 km |
| Jan 26, 1992 | 28 km ENE of Halfway, Oregon | M3.2 | 106 km | 5 km |
| Apr 10, 2012 | 3 km WNW of Touchet, Washington | M3.2 | 94 km | 14 km |
| Aug 14, 2017 | 19 km NNW of Halfway, Oregon | M3.1 | 75 km | 8 km |
| Jul 21, 1998 | 6 km N of Halfway, Oregon | M3.1 | 86 km | -1 km |
| Jul 13, 2000 | 7 km NW of Unity, Oregon | M3.1 | 95 km | 19 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
18 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 11, 1968 | EF2 | 81 km | 9.6 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 2022 | EF1 | 54 km | 2.9 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 2009 | EF1 | 55 km | 1.6 mi | 0 |
| Mar 5, 2024 | EF0 | 66 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 27, 2023 | EF0 | 74 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 12, 2016 | EF0 | 84 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| May 9, 2013 | EF0 | 60 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 2009 | EF0 | 52 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Aug 21, 2006 | EF0 | 63 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 23, 2004 | EF0 | 55 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 13, 2002 | EF0 | 71 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| May 17, 1996 | EF0 | 92 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 11, 1995 | EF0 | 64 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 1, 1991 | EF0 | 66 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 24, 1987 | EF0 | 85 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 1983 | EF0 | 6 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 16, 1975 | EF0 | 59 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 1964 | EF0 | 75 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: BATTLE MOUNTAIN COMPLEX (184,979 acres, 2024).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2024 | BATTLE MOUNTAIN COMPLEX | 184,979 | 99 km |
| 2006 | COLUMBIA COMPLEX | 118,865 | 96 km |
| 2015 | CORNET-WINDY RIDGE | 102,553 | 86 km |
| 2015 | BUTTE CREEK | 79,418 | 85 km |
| 1996 | TOWER | 50,827 | 57 km |
| 2021 | GREEN RIDGE | 44,604 | 99 km |
| 1986 | JOSEPH/STARVATION | 37,064 | 89 km |
| 1996 | BULL COMPLEX (SUMMIT) | 36,318 | 82 km |
| 2024 | THOMPSON | 31,066 | 99 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 27,815 | 93 km |
| 2021 | ELBOW CREEK | 23,103 | 71 km |
| 2022 | STURGILL | 21,641 | 42 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 21,130 | 96 km |
| 1989 | DOOLEY MOUNTAIN | 18,747 | 85 km |
| 1989 | CANAL | 18,596 | 80 km |
| 2015 | DRY GULCH | 18,369 | 93 km |
| 2024 | JACK CANYON MUTUAL AID | 18,287 | 70 km |
| 2009 | NORTH FORK COMPLEX | 16,461 | 64 km |
| 1987 | RYDER CREEK | 16,269 | 60 km |
| 2015 | EAGLE | 14,502 | 65 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 32°F (-0°C) | 2.6 in | |
| February | 31°F (-0°C) | 1.8 in | |
| March | 36°F (2°C) | 1.9 in | |
| April | 42°F (5°C) | 1.8 in | |
| May | 49°F (9°C) | 1.9 in | |
| June | 56°F (13°C) | 1.7 in | |
| July | 70°F (21°C) | 0.7 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 62°F (17°C) | 0.9 in | |
| September | 54°F (12°C) | 1.1 in | |
| October | 45°F (7°C) | 1.5 in | |
| November | 35°F (2°C) | 2.4 in | |
| December | 28°F (-2°C) | 2.7 in | Coldest, Wettest |
La Grande has a seasonal temperature swing of 43°F / from 28°F in December to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 21.2 inches, with December being the wettest month (2.7") and July the driest (0.7").