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Weather & Climate in Merlin, OR
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Merlin experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 38°F in January while summers reach 65°F in July. The area gets 246 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 40.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32. The city sits at an elevation of 887 feet.
Temperature
38°F Jan (3°C)
65°F Jul (18°C)
| Annual Average | 48.9°F |
| 9% below US avg | |
| January Average | 38°F (3°C) |
| July Average | 65°F (18°C) |
| Sunny Days | 246 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 887 ft (270 m) |
| Area | 4.3 sq mi (11.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 327/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 42.5199°N, 123.4323°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Josephine County County |
| Nearest Airport | Rogue Valley International - Medford (MFR) 30 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 32.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 90.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 66.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 49.8 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Relatively High |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| 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
355 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.0.
| Sep 21, 1993 | 27 km WNW of Klamath Falls, Oregon | M6.0 | 114 km | 9 km |
| Sep 21, 1993 | 22 km WNW of Klamath Falls, Oregon | M5.9 | 118 km | 9 km |
| Dec 4, 1993 | 20 km WNW of Klamath Falls, Oregon | M5.1 | 120 km | 5 km |
| Jan 23, 2024 | 16 km WSW of Klamath, CA | M4.3 | 130 km | 36 km |
| Sep 21, 1993 | 25 km SW of Chiloquin, Oregon | M4.3 | 114 km | -2 km |
| Jul 29, 1991 | 38 km W of Crescent City, California | M4.3 | 131 km | 28 km |
| May 15, 2002 | 9 km W of Klamath Falls, Oregon | M4.3 | 130 km | 6 km |
| Jan 19, 1994 | 15 km WNW of Klamath Falls, Oregon | M4.3 | 125 km | -1 km |
| Jan 9, 1994 | 12 km WNW of Klamath Falls, Oregon | M4.3 | 127 km | 1 km |
| Feb 26, 2009 | 37 km NW of Selma, Oregon | M4.2 | 38 km | 37 km |
| Sep 23, 1993 | 23 km WNW of Klamath Falls, Oregon | M4.1 | 116 km | 6 km |
| Dec 31, 1993 | 14 km WNW of Klamath Falls, Oregon | M4.1 | 126 km | -2 km |
| Dec 25, 1993 | 15 km WNW of Klamath Falls, Oregon | M4.0 | 125 km | -2 km |
| Jan 7, 1994 | 12 km WNW of Klamath Falls, Oregon | M4.0 | 127 km | 0 km |
| Sep 30, 1999 | 46 km WSW of Etna, California | M3.9 | 127 km | 38 km |
| Sep 21, 1993 | 22 km WNW of Klamath Falls, Oregon | M3.9 | 118 km | 6 km |
| Nov 17, 1994 | 24 km SW of Chiloquin, Oregon | M3.9 | 115 km | -2 km |
| Sep 29, 1999 | 4km E of Somes Bar, CA | M3.9 | 128 km | 37 km |
| Jan 24, 2014 | 31 km SSE of Powers, Oregon | M3.8 | 44 km | 4 km |
| Sep 21, 1993 | 21 km WNW of Klamath Falls, Oregon | M3.8 | 118 km | -1 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
5 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF0.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 18, 2013 | EF0 | 85 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Oct 24, 2010 | EF0 | 86 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 9, 2002 | EF0 | 87 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jan 20, 1996 | EF0 | 88 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Mar 22, 1983 | EF0 | 87 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Tsunami History
1 tsunami recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 3.1 m (10 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1873 | N. CALIFORNIA | Eruption + Earthquake | 3.1 m | — | 74 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
5 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Crater Lake (117 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Crater Lake | Caldera | 2,487 m (8,159 ft) | -2850 | 117 km |
| Cinnamon Butte | Pyroclastic cone(s) | 1,956 m (6,417 ft) | Unknown | 134 km |
| Shasta | Stratovolcano | 4,317 m (14,163 ft) | 1250 | 161 km |
| Davis Lake | Volcanic field | 2,163 m (7,096 ft) | -2790 | 176 km |
| Medicine Lake | Shield | 2,412 m (7,913 ft) | 1060 | 185 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: BISCUIT COMPLEX (BISCUIT) (495,308 acres, 2002).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2002 | BISCUIT COMPLEX (BISCUIT) | 495,308 | 40 km |
| 2017 | CHETCO BAR | 194,877 | 60 km |
| 2018 | KLONDIKE | 178,311 | 38 km |
| 2020 | SLATER | 157,784 | 66 km |
| 2014 | HAPPY CAMP COMPLEX | 118,491 | 93 km |
| 1987 | SILVER | 96,698 | 46 km |
| 2017 | OAK | 95,692 | 87 km |
| 2023 | KELLY | 90,267 | 76 km |
| 1987 | KING TITUS | 71,390 | 98 km |
| 2022 | MCKINNEY | 60,592 | 93 km |
| 2018 | TAYLOR CREEK | 57,505 | 16 km |
| 2021 | SMITH | 50,739 | 83 km |
| 2002 | BOULDER | 48,505 | 87 km |
| 2018 | MILES | 40,343 | 69 km |
| 2018 | NATCHEZ | 38,800 | 70 km |
| 2018 | KLAMATHON | 38,188 | 98 km |
| 1987 | FORT COPPER | 36,333 | 71 km |
| 2023 | FLAT | 34,496 | 54 km |
| 2014 | KNF BEAVER | 34,274 | 84 km |
| 2016 | GAP | 33,940 | 81 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 38°F (3°C) | 6.7 in | Coldest |
| February | 44°F (7°C) | 5.3 in | |
| March | 47°F (8°C) | 4.8 in | |
| April | 50°F (10°C) | 2.8 in | |
| May | 56°F (13°C) | 1.7 in | |
| June | 63°F (17°C) | 0.8 in | |
| July | 65°F (18°C) | 0.4 in | Driest |
| August | 69°F (20°C) | 0.6 in | Warmest |
| September | 63°F (17°C) | 1.1 in | |
| October | 54°F (12°C) | 2.8 in | |
| November | 45°F (7°C) | 6.9 in | |
| December | 40°F (4°C) | 7.3 in | Wettest |
Merlin has a seasonal temperature swing of 30°F / from 38°F in January to 69°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 41.1 inches, with December being the wettest month (7.3") and July the driest (0.4").