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 48°F (9°C). Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 9.1 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 78.6 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 23 / among the cleanest air in the country. 83% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 3,265 feet.
Temperature
29°F Jan (-2°C)
69°F Jul (20°C)
| Annual Average | 47.6°F |
| 12% below US avg | |
| January Average | 29°F (-2°C) |
| July Average | 69°F (20°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 3,265 ft (995 m) |
| Area | 0.3 sq mi (0.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,062/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 45.0300°N, 117.9204°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Union County County |
| Nearest Airport | Eastern Oregon Regional At Pendleton (PDT) 63 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 23.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Good Days % | 82.8% |
| Unhealthy Days | 2 |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 43.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 51.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 34.2 / 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 | 29°F (-2°C) | 0.7 in | |
| February | 34°F (1°C) | 0.6 in | |
| March | 41°F (5°C) | 0.8 in | |
| April | 46°F (8°C) | 0.8 in | |
| May | 54°F (12°C) | 1.5 in | Wettest |
| June | 61°F (16°C) | 1.1 in | |
| July | 69°F (20°C) | 0.6 in | Warmest |
| August | 68°F (20°C) | 0.4 in | Driest |
| September | 59°F (15°C) | 0.4 in | |
| October | 47°F (8°C) | 0.6 in | |
| November | 36°F (2°C) | 0.7 in | |
| December | 29°F (-2°C) | 0.9 in | Coldest |
North Powder has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 29°F in December to 69°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 9.1 inches, with May being the wettest month (1.5") and August the driest (0.4").