Weather & Climate in Pilot Rock, OR

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

Pilot Rock experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 36°F in January while summers reach 72°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 15.0 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 10.1 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32. The city sits at an elevation of 1,604 feet.

Temperature

36°F Jan (2°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)

Annual Average	51.9°F
	4% below US avg
January Average	36°F (2°C)
July Average	72°F (22°C)
Sunny Days	311 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,604 ft (489 m)
Area	1.5 sq mi (3.8 km²)
Population Density	824/sq mi
Coordinates	45.4928°N, 118.8302°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	Umatilla County County
Nearest Airport	Eastern Oregon Regional At Pendleton (PDT) 14 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 15.0"

60% below US avg

Snowfall 10.1"

Wettest Month (Nov) 2.52"

Driest Month (Jul) 0.51"

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

157 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	68 km	9 km
Jan 30, 2000	6 km SE of Condon, Oregon	M4.1	106 km	-1 km
Jul 14, 1992	6 km S of Walla Walla East, Washington	M4.1	69 km	11 km
Nov 18, 1997	20 km NW of Bickleton, Washington	M3.9	146 km	15 km
Mar 22, 1997	10 km ESE of Condon, Oregon	M3.9	102 km	0 km
Aug 7, 1992	8 km WSW of Irrigon, Oregon	M3.9	72 km	0 km
Sep 4, 2011	14 km N of Richland, Washington	M3.7	107 km	2 km
May 18, 2008	11 km SSW of Benton City, Washington	M3.7	94 km	20 km
Feb 1, 2000	7 km SE of Condon, Oregon	M3.6	106 km	-1 km
Jan 23, 2015	3 km N of Cayuse, Oregon	M3.5	33 km	20 km
Aug 31, 1999	Washington-Oregon border region	M3.5	104 km	3 km
Nov 6, 1997	22 km SE of Desert Aire, Washington	M3.4	134 km	22 km
Jun 17, 2004	11 km SSE of Washtucna, Washington	M3.4	139 km	17 km
Oct 15, 2011	13 km N of Richland, Washington	M3.4	107 km	1 km
Jan 30, 2000	8 km SE of Condon, Oregon	M3.4	105 km	-1 km
Aug 27, 2000	16 km W of Richland, Oregon	M3.3	142 km	0 km
Dec 15, 1991	6 km SSW of Walla Walla East, Washington	M3.3	68 km	8 km
Feb 28, 2004	10 km WSW of Wallula, Washington	M3.3	62 km	1 km
Nov 18, 1997	19 km NW of Bickleton, Washington	M3.3	145 km	15 km
May 1, 2011	13 km N of Richland, Washington	M3.3	107 km	2 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	65 km	0.3 mi	0
May 6, 2022	EF1	54 km	2.9 mi	0
May 6, 2009	EF1	35 km	1.6 mi	0
May 19, 2006	EF1	76 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 19, 2004	EF1	74 km	2.2 mi	0
Mar 5, 2024	EF0	53 km	0.2 mi	0
Jun 27, 2023	EF0	69 km	0.1 mi	0
Mar 31, 2020	EF0	99 km	0.1 mi	0
May 22, 2016	EF0	83 km	0.2 mi	0
Apr 14, 2011	EF0	69 km	0.2 mi	0
Jun 7, 2004	EF0	93 km	0.5 mi	0
May 23, 2004	EF0	45 km	0.1 mi	0
Oct 4, 2003	EF0	97 km	0.2 mi	0
Jul 13, 2002	EF0	23 km	0.2 mi	0
Jul 9, 1995	EF0	49 km	0.1 mi	0
May 1, 1991	EF0	36 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 24, 1987	EF0	75 km	0.2 mi	0
Jun 21, 1983	EF0	62 km	0.1 mi	0
May 22, 1964	EF0	49 km	10.7 mi	0
Apr 24, 1958	EF0	81 km	45.0 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	65 km
2007	MONUMENT COMPLEX (RED HILL FIRE)	54,572	75 km
1996	TOWER	50,827	52 km
2008	COAL PLANT	45,801	72 km
1996	BULL COMPLEX (SUMMIT)	36,318	86 km
2001	MONUMENT COMPLEX (MALLORY)	29,095	74 km
2000	UNNAMED	27,815	33 km
2015	UNNAMED	27,736	77 km
1996	UNNAMED	21,130	58 km
2024	JACK CANYON MUTUAL AID	18,287	13 km
2023	HAT ROCK	17,264	54 km
1990	LOCUSTGROV	17,187	68 km
2000	HORN BUTTE	16,581	94 km
2009	NORTH FORK COMPLEX	16,461	65 km
1987	RYDER CREEK	16,269	64 km
2018	LAKE WALLULA	11,972	54 km
2020	EAST FORK BUTTER CREEK	11,496	30 km
1994	BOUNDARY	11,086	55 km
1994	HORN BUTTE	10,003	91 km
1996	SLOANS RIDGE	9,578	80 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	36°F (2°C)	2.5 in
February	35°F (2°C)	1.8 in
March	39°F (4°C)	2.0 in
April	45°F (7°C)	1.8 in
May	51°F (11°C)	1.8 in
June	59°F (15°C)	1.4 in
July	72°F (22°C)	0.5 in	Warmest, Driest
August	65°F (19°C)	0.8 in
September	58°F (14°C)	0.9 in
October	48°F (9°C)	1.5 in
November	38°F (3°C)	2.5 in	Wettest
December	32°F (-0°C)	2.5 in	Coldest

Pilot Rock has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 32°F in December to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 20.0 inches, with November being the wettest month (2.5") and July the driest (0.5").

View full profile of Pilot Rock, OR →