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Weather & Climate in North Powder, OR

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

North Powder experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 68°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 14.8 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 16.2 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32. The city sits at an elevation of 3,265 feet.

Temperature

33°F Jan (0°C) 68°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average49.0°F
9% below US avg
January Average33°F (0°C)
July Average68°F (20°C)
Sunny Days311 days/yr

Geography

Elevation3,265 ft (995 m)
Area0.3 sq mi (0.6 km²)
Population Density1,062/sq mi
Coordinates45.0300°N, 117.9204°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
CountyUnion County County
Nearest AirportEastern Oregon Regional At Pendleton (PDT)
63 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 14.8"
61% below US avg
Snowfall 16.2"
Wettest Month (May) 1.73"
Driest Month (Jul) 0.71"

Air Quality

AQI Median32.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Low
Risk Score43.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability51.8 / 100
Community Resilience34.2 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Very Low
Earthquake Relatively Low
Wildfire Relatively Moderate
Flood Relatively Low
Hail Very Low
Strong Wind Very Low
Heat Wave Relatively Low
Winter Weather Relatively Moderate
Lightning Relatively Low
Ice Storm Relatively Low
Drought Very Low
Cold Wave Relatively Moderate
Landslide Relatively Low
Avalanche Relatively Moderate
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

101 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 M4.3 111 km 9 km
Jul 14, 1992 6 km S of Walla Walla East, Washington M4.1 111 km 11 km
Oct 27, 1994 11 km SE of Halfway, Oregon M4.0 76 km 10 km
Oct 4, 2002 15 km W of Cascade, Idaho M3.8 145 km 5 km
Jan 23, 2015 3 km N of Cayuse, Oregon M3.5 90 km 20 km
Apr 6, 2002 9 km NW of Cascade, Idaho M3.5 150 km 5 km
Dec 24, 1999 18 km WNW of New Meadows, Idaho M3.5 113 km 3 km
Oct 4, 2002 15 km W of Cascade, Idaho M3.4 146 km 5 km
Oct 4, 2002 20 km WSW of Cascade, Idaho M3.4 143 km 5 km
Dec 15, 1991 6 km SSW of Walla Walla East, Washington M3.3 112 km 8 km
Jul 20, 1998 9 km ESE of Halfway, Oregon M3.3 75 km 12 km
Jun 16, 1992 10 km ESE of Halfway, Oregon M3.3 76 km 5 km
Aug 27, 2000 16 km W of Richland, Oregon M3.3 54 km 0 km
Feb 28, 2004 10 km WSW of Wallula, Washington M3.3 141 km 1 km
Nov 23, 2001 6 km WNW of New Meadows, Idaho M3.2 123 km 0 km
Jul 25, 2009 10 km NW of Brogan, Oregon M3.2 83 km 7 km
Jul 19, 1998 10 km ESE of Halfway, Oregon M3.2 76 km 11 km
Jan 26, 1992 28 km ENE of Halfway, Oregon M3.2 87 km 5 km
Apr 10, 2012 3 km WNW of Touchet, Washington M3.2 129 km 14 km
Aug 14, 2017 19 km NNW of Halfway, Oregon M3.1 56 km 8 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

15 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 1 injury.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Jun 4, 2006 EF2 94 km 12.0 mi 0
May 6, 2022 EF1 89 km 2.9 mi 0
May 6, 2009 EF1 90 km 1.6 mi 0
Jul 12, 2016 EF0 87 km 1.0 mi 0
May 9, 2013 EF0 69 km 0.1 mi 0
May 6, 2009 EF0 68 km 0.2 mi 0
Aug 21, 2006 EF0 67 km 0.2 mi 0
Jun 23, 2004 EF0 20 km 0.1 mi 0
Apr 30, 1997 EF0 97 km 1.0 mi 0
May 17, 1996 EF0 67 km 0.1 mi 0
May 11, 1995 EF0 29 km 0.1 mi 0
Jul 22, 1992 EF0 90 km 0.5 mi 0
Jul 22, 1992 EF0 98 km 0.5 mi 0
Jun 21, 1983 EF0 39 km 0.1 mi 0
Sep 16, 1975 EF0 23 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: COW VALLEY (134,642 acres, 2024).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
2024 COW VALLEY 134,642 96 km
2015 CORNET-WINDY RIDGE 102,553 51 km
2020 WOODHEAD 98,995 96 km
2006 FOSTER GULCH 52,496 79 km
1996 TOWER 50,827 61 km
2007 IRISH SPRING 47,845 95 km
2016 RAIL 43,813 83 km
1996 BULL COMPLEX (SUMMIT) 36,318 70 km
2024 THOMPSON 31,066 65 km
2005 SNAKE ONE 24,056 84 km
2002 MONUMENT-MALHEUR COMPLEX (MONUMENT) 23,860 88 km
2021 ELBOW CREEK 23,103 96 km
2024 COYOTE 21,880 72 km
2022 STURGILL 21,641 42 km
2015 ELDORADO 20,962 79 km
2013 RAFT 20,722 80 km
1989 DOOLEY MOUNTAIN 18,747 50 km
1989 CANAL 18,596 69 km
2015 DRY GULCH 18,369 65 km
2024 JACK CANYON MUTUAL AID 18,287 93 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 33°F (0°C) 1.6 in
February 32°F (-0°C) 1.1 in
March 38°F (3°C) 1.3 in
April 44°F (7°C) 1.3 in
May 51°F (11°C) 1.7 in Wettest
June 58°F (15°C) 1.6 in
July 68°F (20°C) 0.7 in Warmest, Driest
August 65°F (18°C) 0.9 in
September 57°F (14°C) 0.9 in
October 47°F (8°C) 1.0 in
November 36°F (2°C) 1.6 in
December 28°F (-2°C) 1.6 in Coldest

North Powder has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 28°F in December to 68°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 15.3 inches, with May being the wettest month (1.7") and July the driest (0.7").

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