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Weather & Climate in Rhododendron, OR
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Rhododendron has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F (6°C). Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 58°F in July. The area gets 251 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 89.8 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 232.5 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32. The city sits at an elevation of 2,350 feet.
Temperature
32°F Jan (-0°C)
58°F Jul (15°C)
| Annual Average | 42.9°F |
| 21% below US avg | |
| January Average | 32°F (-0°C) |
| July Average | 58°F (15°C) |
| Sunny Days | 251 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,350 ft (716 m) |
| Area | 3.9 sq mi (10.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 52/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 45.3053°N, 121.8479°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Hood River County County |
| Nearest Airport | Columbia Gorge Regional/The Dalles Municipal (DLS) 39 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 32.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 32.1 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 60.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Volcano | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
1,029 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 | 67 km | 20 km |
| Jun 29, 2002 | 6 km ENE of Government Camp, Oregon | M4.5 | 13 km | 5 km |
| Feb 14, 2011 | 31 km S of Morton, Washington | M4.3 | 112 km | 4 km |
| Jun 17, 2010 | 30 km S of White Swan, Washington | M4.2 | 124 km | 3 km |
| Jul 14, 2008 | 11 km ESE of Maupin, Oregon | M4.2 | 73 km | 16 km |
| Jan 30, 2000 | 6 km SE of Condon, Oregon | M4.1 | 135 km | -1 km |
| Oct 9, 1998 | 20 km S of White Swan, Washington | M4.0 | 133 km | 2 km |
| Jun 6, 2021 | 6 km NE of Government Camp, Oregon | M3.9 | 13 km | 4 km |
| Jun 25, 2004 | 17 km W of Packwood, Washington | M3.9 | 147 km | -1 km |
| Oct 1, 2004 | 37 km NNE of Amboy, Washington | M3.9 | 103 km | -1 km |
| Mar 22, 1997 | 10 km ESE of Condon, Oregon | M3.9 | 140 km | 0 km |
| Nov 18, 1997 | 20 km NW of Bickleton, Washington | M3.9 | 142 km | 15 km |
| Apr 24, 2003 | 3 km NW of North Portland, Oregon | M3.9 | 78 km | 17 km |
| Jan 3, 2018 | 37 km SSE of Morton, Washington | M3.9 | 107 km | 10 km |
| Feb 8, 1995 | 9 km ESE of Hubbard, Oregon | M3.8 | 70 km | 24 km |
| Jun 29, 2002 | 7 km NE of Government Camp, Oregon | M3.8 | 14 km | 5 km |
| Aug 3, 2006 | 2 km WNW of Cherry Grove, Washington | M3.8 | 81 km | 14 km |
| Jun 14, 2007 | 12 km ESE of Maupin, Oregon | M3.8 | 74 km | 18 km |
| Aug 23, 2013 | 24 km SSE of Mossyrock, Washington | M3.7 | 121 km | 14 km |
| Oct 1, 2004 | 36 km NNE of Amboy, Washington | M3.7 | 102 km | -2 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
45 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 6 fatalities, 304 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 5, 1972 | EF3 | 69 km | 8.7 mi | 6 |
| Dec 14, 2010 | EF2 | 96 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 8, 1993 | EF2 | 86 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 10, 2015 | EF1 | 75 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Jan 10, 2008 | EF1 | 78 km | 10.1 mi | 0 |
| Oct 9, 2000 | EF1 | 63 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Oct 9, 2000 | EF1 | 57 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Nov 12, 1991 | EF1 | 73 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Nov 12, 1991 | EF1 | 50 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 29, 1989 | EF1 | 90 km | 1.6 mi | 0 |
| Oct 13, 1984 | EF1 | 98 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 16, 1978 | EF1 | 96 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 12, 1957 | EF1 | 34 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Oct 11, 2023 | EF0 | 91 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Oct 24, 2022 | EF0 | 85 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 22, 2022 | EF0 | 24 km | 0.9 mi | 0 |
| Sep 27, 2021 | EF0 | 79 km | 3.9 mi | 0 |
| Nov 10, 2020 | EF0 | 99 km | 1.7 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 2020 | EF0 | 50 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 8, 2019 | EF0 | 87 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Tsunami History
1 tsunami 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 | 103 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
13 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Hood (14 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Hood | Stratovolcano | 3,426 m (11,240 ft) | 1866 | 14 km |
| West Crater | Volcanic field | 1,329 m (4,360 ft) | -5750 | 66 km |
| Indian Heaven | Shield(s) | 1,806 m (5,925 ft) | -6250 | 70 km |
| Jefferson | Stratovolcano | 3,199 m (10,495 ft) | 950 | 70 km |
| St. Helens | Stratovolcano | 2,549 m (8,363 ft) | 2008 | 103 km |
| Sand Mountain Field | Pyroclastic cone(s) | 1,664 m (5,459 ft) | -950 | 103 km |
| Adams | Stratovolcano | 3,742 m (12,277 ft) | 950 | 104 km |
| Belknap | Shield(s) | 2,095 m (6,873 ft) | 480 | 114 km |
| Three Sisters | Complex | 3,159 m (10,364 ft) | 440 | 131 km |
| Bachelor | Stratovolcano | 2,763 m (9,065 ft) | -5800 | 148 km |
| Rainier | Stratovolcano | 4,392 m (14,409 ft) | 1450 | 172 km |
| Newberry | Shield | 2,434 m (7,986 ft) | 690 | 183 km |
| Davis Lake | Volcanic field | 2,163 m (7,096 ft) | -2790 | 193 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: LIONSHEAD (197,732 acres, 2020).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2020 | LIONSHEAD | 197,732 | 59 km |
| 2020 | BEACHIE CREEK | 194,619 | 65 km |
| 2020 | RIVERSIDE | 138,190 | 35 km |
| 1996 | SIMNASHO | 118,466 | 64 km |
| 2018 | BOXCAR 0410 RN | 99,874 | 73 km |
| 2003 | BB COMPLEX (BOOTH) | 91,281 | 89 km |
| 2017 | NENA SPRINGS | 70,074 | 63 km |
| 2018 | SUBSTATION 0730 RN | 69,109 | 74 km |
| 2015 | COUNTY LINE 2 | 68,189 | 63 km |
| 2011 | 0655 RAZOR BACK EAST | 65,350 | 75 km |
| 2013 | SUNNYSIDE TURNOFF | 50,028 | 71 km |
| 2017 | EAGLE CREEK | 48,816 | 36 km |
| 2011 | HIGH CASCADES | 44,498 | 68 km |
| 2014 | SHANIKO BUTTE | 39,852 | 61 km |
| 2018 | LONG HOLLOW 0806 RN | 33,662 | 68 km |
| 1994 | LECLAIRE | 32,087 | 73 km |
| 2010 | WHITE LIGHTNING COMPLEX (YOUTHER) | 30,322 | 60 km |
| 2002 | WHITE RIVER | 28,930 | 69 km |
| 2021 | BULL COMPLEX | 26,233 | 52 km |
| 2020 | BIG HOLLOW | 24,243 | 73 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 32°F (-0°C) | 13.1 in | Coldest |
| February | 35°F (2°C) | 9.8 in | |
| March | 37°F (3°C) | 8.8 in | |
| April | 41°F (5°C) | 6.6 in | |
| May | 47°F (8°C) | 4.6 in | |
| June | 53°F (12°C) | 3.2 in | |
| July | 58°F (15°C) | 1.1 in | Driest |
| August | 60°F (15°C) | 1.7 in | Warmest |
| September | 55°F (13°C) | 3.7 in | |
| October | 47°F (8°C) | 6.1 in | |
| November | 38°F (3°C) | 12.1 in | |
| December | 33°F (1°C) | 13.6 in | Wettest |
Rhododendron has a seasonal temperature swing of 28°F / from 32°F in January to 60°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 84.3 inches, with December being the wettest month (13.6") and July the driest (1.1").