Weather & Climate in Nehalem, OR

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

Nehalem experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 46°F in January while summers reach 59°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 251 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 76.7 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32. The city sits at an elevation of 10 feet.

Temperature

46°F Jan (8°C) 59°F Jul (15°C)

Annual Average	51.7°F
	4% below US avg
January Average	46°F (8°C)
July Average	59°F (15°C)
Sunny Days	251 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	10 ft (3 m)
Area	0.2 sq mi (0.6 km²)
Population Density	833/sq mi
Coordinates	45.7195°N, 123.8940°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	Tillamook County County
Nearest Airport	Astoria Regional (AST) 33 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 76.7"

102% above US avg

Snowfall 0.0"

Wettest Month (Dec) 14.41"

Driest Month (Jul) 1.57"

Air Quality

AQI Median	32.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	81.3 / 100
Social Vulnerability	57.6 / 100
Community Resilience	61.8 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very Low
Earthquake	Relatively Moderate
Wildfire	Very Low
Flood	Relatively Moderate
Hail	Very Low
Strong Wind	Relatively Low
Heat Wave	Very Low
Winter Weather	Very Low
Lightning	Very Low
Ice Storm	Relatively Low
Drought	Very Low
Cold Wave	Very Low
Landslide	Relatively Moderate
Coastal Flood	Relatively Moderate
Tsunami	Relatively Moderate
Volcano	Very Low
Avalanche	Very Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

905 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.6.

Mar 25, 1993	4 km E of Scotts Mills, Oregon	M5.6	126 km	20 km
Aug 19, 2004	19 km W of Newport, Oregon	M4.7	122 km	27 km
Feb 14, 2011	31 km S of Morton, Washington	M4.3	144 km	4 km
Oct 1, 2004	37 km NNE of Amboy, Washington	M3.9	142 km	-1 km
Apr 24, 2003	3 km NW of North Portland, Oregon	M3.9	90 km	17 km
Feb 8, 1995	9 km ESE of Hubbard, Oregon	M3.8	113 km	24 km
Aug 3, 2006	2 km WNW of Cherry Grove, Washington	M3.8	100 km	14 km
Aug 23, 2013	24 km SSE of Mossyrock, Washington	M3.7	134 km	14 km
Jun 8, 1993	5 km ESE of Scotts Mills, Oregon	M3.7	127 km	19 km
Oct 1, 2004	36 km NNE of Amboy, Washington	M3.7	141 km	-2 km
Jan 31, 2013	3 km ENE of Amboy, Washington	M3.7	117 km	6 km
Oct 1, 2004	37 km NNE of Amboy, Washington	M3.6	142 km	-1 km
Feb 24, 1999	8 km WSW of Molalla, Oregon	M3.6	116 km	34 km
Sep 30, 2004	37 km NNE of Amboy, Washington	M3.6	142 km	-1 km
Oct 1, 2004	37 km NNE of Amboy, Washington	M3.6	142 km	-1 km
Jul 31, 2006	37 km NNE of Amboy, Washington	M3.6	142 km	-1 km
Aug 5, 2006	37 km NNE of Amboy, Washington	M3.6	142 km	-1 km
Jul 25, 2006	37 km NNE of Amboy, Washington	M3.6	142 km	-1 km
May 19, 2019	3 km ESE of Rose Lodge, Oregon	M3.6	80 km	44 km
Sep 8, 2012	8 km N of Scotts Mills, Oregon	M3.5	115 km	24 km

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

Tornado History

46 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 6 fatalities, 303 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Apr 5, 1972	EF3	99 km	8.7 mi	6
Oct 14, 2016	EF2	4 km	0.7 mi	0
Dec 8, 1993	EF2	88 km	6.0 mi	0
Oct 23, 2014	EF1	86 km	1.3 mi	0
Jun 13, 2013	EF1	79 km	0.3 mi	0
Jan 10, 2008	EF1	94 km	10.1 mi	0
Nov 12, 1991	EF1	95 km	0.2 mi	0
Jun 29, 1989	EF1	97 km	1.6 mi	0
Mar 28, 1985	EF1	92 km	0.2 mi	0
Oct 13, 1984	EF1	91 km	3.0 mi	0
Aug 16, 1978	EF1	79 km	0.2 mi	0
Dec 12, 1975	EF1	30 km	2.0 mi	0
Oct 3, 1967	EF1	46 km	0.5 mi	0
Nov 11, 2024	EF0	12 km	0.3 mi	0
Oct 28, 2024	EF0	83 km	0.2 mi	0
Oct 11, 2023	EF0	95 km	0.5 mi	0
Oct 24, 2022	EF0	99 km	0.0 mi	0
Mar 19, 2021	EF0	67 km	0.3 mi	0
Nov 10, 2020	EF0	82 km	1.7 mi	0
Sep 8, 2019	EF0	81 km	0.1 mi	0

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

Tsunami History

2 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 250.0 m (820 ft).

Year	Location	Cause	Max Wave	Deaths	Distance
1980	WASHINGTON	Explosion	250.0 m	61	143 km
1700	CASCADIA SUBDUCTION ZONE	Earthquake	—	2	118 km

Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Nearby Volcanoes

5 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: West Crater (142 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
West Crater	Volcanic field	1,329 m (4,360 ft)	-5750	142 km
St. Helens	Stratovolcano	2,549 m (8,363 ft)	2008	143 km
Indian Heaven	Shield(s)	1,806 m (5,925 ft)	-6250	162 km
Hood	Stratovolcano	3,426 m (11,240 ft)	1866	176 km
Adams	Stratovolcano	3,742 m (12,277 ft)	950	194 km

Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

2 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: ROCKHOUSE (5,011 acres, 1987).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
1987	ROCKHOUSE	5,011	95 km
2020	ECHO MTN COMPLEX	2,161	79 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	46°F (8°C)	13.5 in
February	44°F (7°C)	10.8 in
March	45°F (7°C)	9.9 in
April	47°F (8°C)	6.9 in
May	51°F (10°C)	4.5 in
June	55°F (13°C)	3.4 in
July	59°F (15°C)	1.6 in	Warmest, Driest
August	59°F (15°C)	1.6 in
September	57°F (14°C)	3.7 in
October	52°F (11°C)	7.4 in
November	46°F (8°C)	13.8 in
December	42°F (6°C)	14.4 in	Coldest, Wettest

Nehalem has a seasonal temperature swing of 17°F / from 42°F in December to 59°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 91.4 inches, with December being the wettest month (14.4") and July the driest (1.6").

View full profile of Nehalem, OR →