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Weather & Climate in Milton-Freewater, OR

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

Milton-Freewater enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 37°F in January while summers reach 77°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 16.2 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 7.2 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32. The city sits at an elevation of 1,037 feet.

Temperature

37°F Jan (3°C) 77°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average55.5°F
3% above US avg
January Average37°F (3°C)
July Average77°F (25°C)
Sunny Days311 days/yr

Geography

Elevation1,037 ft (316 m)
Area2.0 sq mi (5.2 km²)
Population Density3,496/sq mi
Coordinates45.9340°N, 118.3910°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
CountyUmatilla County County
Nearest AirportWalla Walla Regional (ALW)
12 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 16.2"
58% below US avg
Snowfall 7.2"
Wettest Month (Nov) 2.28"
Driest Month (Jul) 0.55"

Air Quality

AQI Median32.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Moderate
Risk Score82.3 / 100
Social Vulnerability59.6 / 100
Community Resilience15.9 / 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

135 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 8 km 9 km
Jul 14, 1992 6 km S of Walla Walla East, Washington M4.1 9 km 11 km
Aug 7, 1992 8 km WSW of Irrigon, Oregon M3.9 93 km 0 km
Jun 28, 1998 3 km SE of Genesee, Idaho M3.8 133 km 10 km
Sep 4, 2011 14 km N of Richland, Washington M3.7 85 km 2 km
May 18, 2008 11 km SSW of Benton City, Washington M3.7 93 km 20 km
Jan 23, 2015 3 km N of Cayuse, Oregon M3.5 28 km 20 km
Jan 13, 1994 11 km SW of Lind, Washington M3.4 109 km 0 km
Nov 6, 1997 22 km SE of Desert Aire, Washington M3.4 121 km 22 km
Oct 15, 2011 13 km N of Richland, Washington M3.4 85 km 1 km
Jun 17, 2004 11 km SSE of Washtucna, Washington M3.4 83 km 17 km
May 1, 2011 13 km N of Richland, Washington M3.3 85 km 2 km
Dec 15, 1991 6 km SSW of Walla Walla East, Washington M3.3 8 km 8 km
Jun 12, 1995 13 km N of Richland, Washington M3.3 85 km 1 km
Feb 28, 2004 10 km WSW of Wallula, Washington M3.3 50 km 1 km
Jun 19, 1990 11 km W of Othello, Washington M3.3 124 km 2 km
Apr 22, 1990 20 km SE of Desert Aire, Washington M3.3 124 km 21 km
May 27, 1997 15 km W of Othello, Washington M3.3 125 km 2 km
Jun 16, 2019 11 km SW of Royal City, Washington M3.3 143 km 2 km
Nov 17, 2013 13 km NNE of West Richland, Washington M3.2 86 km 0 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

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

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Jun 11, 1968 EF2 83 km 9.6 mi 0
Mar 14, 1966 EF2 78 km 1.0 mi 0
Jun 26, 1958 EF2 44 km 0.3 mi 0
May 6, 2022 EF1 18 km 2.9 mi 0
May 6, 2009 EF1 26 km 1.6 mi 0
Jan 16, 2000 EF1 52 km 1.0 mi 0
Apr 23, 1983 EF1 81 km 3.0 mi 0
Jul 1, 1978 EF1 94 km 2.3 mi 0
Mar 5, 2024 EF0 8 km 0.2 mi 0
Jun 27, 2023 EF0 10 km 0.1 mi 0
Mar 31, 2020 EF0 81 km 0.1 mi 0
May 22, 2016 EF0 67 km 0.2 mi 0
May 9, 2013 EF0 92 km 0.1 mi 0
May 6, 2009 EF0 77 km 0.2 mi 0
May 23, 2004 EF0 71 km 0.1 mi 0
Jul 13, 2002 EF0 43 km 0.2 mi 0
Jul 9, 1995 EF0 68 km 0.1 mi 0
May 1, 1991 EF0 25 km 0.1 mi 0
Aug 24, 1987 EF0 16 km 0.2 mi 0
Jun 21, 1983 EF0 68 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: COLUMBIA COMPLEX (118,865 acres, 2006).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
2006 COLUMBIA COMPLEX 118,865 52 km
2021 LICK CREEK 80,376 82 km
2015 BUTTE CREEK 79,418 61 km
2005 SCHOOL 51,701 71 km
2021 GREEN RIDGE 44,604 63 km
1986 JOSEPH/STARVATION 37,064 92 km
2000 UNNAMED 27,815 84 km
2021 ELBOW CREEK 23,103 62 km
2022 STURGILL 21,641 96 km
1996 UNNAMED 21,130 35 km
2005 WALKER CANYON 20,764 60 km
2010 EUREKA 19,811 58 km
2024 JACK CANYON MUTUAL AID 18,287 72 km
2023 HAT ROCK 17,264 49 km
1990 LOCUSTGROV 17,187 67 km
2020 KAHLOTUS 16,738 69 km
2010 UNNAMED 16,737 74 km
1986 JOSEPH CANYON 1 14,398 99 km
2018 LAKE WALLULA 11,972 49 km
2020 EAST FORK BUTTER CREEK 11,496 88 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 37°F (3°C) 2.0 in
February 39°F (4°C) 1.6 in
March 45°F (7°C) 1.8 in
April 51°F (10°C) 1.5 in
May 58°F (14°C) 1.6 in
June 65°F (18°C) 1.1 in
July 77°F (25°C) 0.6 in Warmest, Driest
August 71°F (22°C) 0.7 in
September 62°F (17°C) 0.8 in
October 51°F (11°C) 1.3 in
November 41°F (5°C) 2.3 in Wettest
December 34°F (1°C) 2.0 in Coldest

Milton-Freewater has a seasonal temperature swing of 42°F / from 34°F in December to 77°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 17.2 inches, with November being the wettest month (2.3") and July the driest (0.6").

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