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Weather & Climate in Pendleton, OR
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Pendleton experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 53°F (12°C). Winters average 36°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. The area gets 258 sunny days per year, above the national average. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32. The city sits at an elevation of 1,126 feet.
Temperature
36°F Jan (2°C)
73°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 52.9°F |
| 2% below US avg | |
| January Average | 36°F (2°C) |
| July Average | 73°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 258 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,126 ft (343 m) |
| Area | 11.6 sq mi (30.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,474/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 45.6756°N, 118.8197°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Umatilla County County |
| Nearest Airport | Eastern Oregon Regional At Pendleton (PDT) 2 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 32.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 82.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 59.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 15.9 / 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
160 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 | 52 km | 9 km |
| Jan 30, 2000 | 6 km SE of Condon, Oregon | M4.1 | 115 km | -1 km |
| Jul 14, 1992 | 6 km S of Walla Walla East, Washington | M4.1 | 53 km | 11 km |
| Aug 7, 1992 | 8 km WSW of Irrigon, Oregon | M3.9 | 63 km | 0 km |
| Mar 22, 1997 | 10 km ESE of Condon, Oregon | M3.9 | 111 km | 0 km |
| Nov 18, 1997 | 20 km NW of Bickleton, Washington | M3.9 | 138 km | 15 km |
| May 18, 2008 | 11 km SSW of Benton City, Washington | M3.7 | 79 km | 20 km |
| Sep 4, 2011 | 14 km N of Richland, Washington | M3.7 | 89 km | 2 km |
| Feb 1, 2000 | 7 km SE of Condon, Oregon | M3.6 | 114 km | -1 km |
| Jan 23, 2015 | 3 km N of Cayuse, Oregon | M3.5 | 21 km | 20 km |
| Aug 31, 1999 | Washington-Oregon border region | M3.5 | 113 km | 3 km |
| Oct 12, 2017 | 25 km NW of Bickleton, Washington | M3.4 | 143 km | 13 km |
| Nov 6, 1997 | 22 km SE of Desert Aire, Washington | M3.4 | 117 km | 22 km |
| Jun 17, 2004 | 11 km SSE of Washtucna, Washington | M3.4 | 119 km | 17 km |
| Oct 15, 2011 | 13 km N of Richland, Washington | M3.4 | 88 km | 1 km |
| Jan 13, 1994 | 11 km SW of Lind, Washington | M3.4 | 135 km | 0 km |
| Jan 30, 2000 | 8 km SE of Condon, Oregon | M3.4 | 114 km | -1 km |
| May 1, 2011 | 13 km N of Richland, Washington | M3.3 | 88 km | 2 km |
| Dec 15, 1991 | 6 km SSW of Walla Walla East, Washington | M3.3 | 52 km | 8 km |
| Jun 12, 1995 | 13 km N of Richland, Washington | M3.3 | 88 km | 1 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
22 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 26, 1958 | EF2 | 45 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 2022 | EF1 | 44 km | 2.9 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 2009 | EF1 | 24 km | 1.6 mi | 0 |
| May 19, 2006 | EF1 | 69 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 19, 2004 | EF1 | 93 km | 2.2 mi | 0 |
| Jan 16, 2000 | EF1 | 96 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 23, 1983 | EF1 | 96 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 5, 2024 | EF0 | 38 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 27, 2023 | EF0 | 54 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 31, 2020 | EF0 | 81 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 2016 | EF0 | 64 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 14, 2011 | EF0 | 75 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 2004 | EF0 | 82 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| May 23, 2004 | EF0 | 36 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 13, 2002 | EF0 | 3 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 9, 1995 | EF0 | 37 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 1, 1991 | EF0 | 19 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 24, 1987 | EF0 | 59 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 1983 | EF0 | 69 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 1964 | EF0 | 30 km | 10.7 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: BATTLE MOUNTAIN COMPLEX (184,979 acres, 2024).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2024 | BATTLE MOUNTAIN COMPLEX | 184,979 | 83 km |
| 2006 | COLUMBIA COMPLEX | 118,865 | 96 km |
| 2007 | MONUMENT COMPLEX (RED HILL FIRE) | 54,572 | 92 km |
| 1996 | TOWER | 50,827 | 72 km |
| 2008 | COAL PLANT | 45,801 | 69 km |
| 2001 | MONUMENT COMPLEX (MALLORY) | 29,095 | 92 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 27,815 | 40 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 27,736 | 74 km |
| 2021 | ELBOW CREEK | 23,103 | 98 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 21,130 | 38 km |
| 2005 | WALKER CANYON | 20,764 | 90 km |
| 2010 | EUREKA | 19,811 | 89 km |
| 2024 | JACK CANYON MUTUAL AID | 18,287 | 30 km |
| 2023 | HAT ROCK | 17,264 | 35 km |
| 1990 | LOCUSTGROV | 17,187 | 51 km |
| 2020 | KAHLOTUS | 16,738 | 97 km |
| 2000 | HORN BUTTE | 16,581 | 93 km |
| 2009 | NORTH FORK COMPLEX | 16,461 | 85 km |
| 1987 | RYDER CREEK | 16,269 | 84 km |
| 2018 | GLADE CREEK | 12,796 | 96 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 36°F (2°C) | 1.7 in | |
| February | 38°F (3°C) | 1.3 in | |
| March | 44°F (7°C) | 1.4 in | |
| April | 50°F (10°C) | 1.2 in | |
| May | 57°F (14°C) | 1.3 in | |
| June | 64°F (18°C) | 0.9 in | |
| July | 73°F (23°C) | 0.4 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 70°F (21°C) | 0.6 in | |
| September | 62°F (17°C) | 0.7 in | |
| October | 51°F (11°C) | 1.1 in | |
| November | 41°F (5°C) | 1.8 in | Wettest |
| December | 33°F (1°C) | 1.7 in | Coldest |
Pendleton has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 33°F in December to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 14.1 inches, with November being the wettest month (1.8") and July the driest (0.4").