Weather & Climate in Riverside, OR

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

Riverside 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 1,294 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	1,294 ft (394 m)
Area	0.6 sq mi (1.6 km²)
Population Density	602/sq mi
Coordinates	45.6768°N, 118.7368°W
Timezone	America/Los_Angeles
County	Umatilla County County
Nearest Airport	Eastern Oregon Regional At Pendleton (PDT) 3 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Wettest Month (Nov) 1.81"

Driest Month (Jul) 0.43"

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

163 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	48 km	9 km
Jan 30, 2000	6 km SE of Condon, Oregon	M4.1	121 km	-1 km
Jul 14, 1992	6 km S of Walla Walla East, Washington	M4.1	48 km	11 km
Nov 18, 1997	20 km NW of Bickleton, Washington	M3.9	144 km	15 km
Aug 7, 1992	8 km WSW of Irrigon, Oregon	M3.9	69 km	0 km
Mar 22, 1997	10 km ESE of Condon, Oregon	M3.9	117 km	0 km
May 18, 2008	11 km SSW of Benton City, Washington	M3.7	83 km	20 km
Sep 4, 2011	14 km N of Richland, Washington	M3.7	91 km	2 km
Feb 1, 2000	7 km SE of Condon, Oregon	M3.6	120 km	-1 km
Jan 23, 2015	3 km N of Cayuse, Oregon	M3.5	15 km	20 km
Aug 31, 1999	Washington-Oregon border region	M3.5	119 km	3 km
Oct 12, 2017	25 km NW of Bickleton, Washington	M3.4	149 km	13 km
Nov 6, 1997	22 km SE of Desert Aire, Washington	M3.4	121 km	22 km
Jan 13, 1994	11 km SW of Lind, Washington	M3.4	135 km	0 km
Jun 17, 2004	11 km SSE of Washtucna, Washington	M3.4	117 km	17 km
Jan 30, 2000	8 km SE of Condon, Oregon	M3.4	120 km	-1 km
Oct 15, 2011	13 km N of Richland, Washington	M3.4	91 km	1 km
Dec 15, 1991	6 km SSW of Walla Walla East, Washington	M3.3	47 km	8 km
Aug 27, 2000	16 km W of Richland, Oregon	M3.3	149 km	0 km
Nov 18, 1997	19 km NW of Bickleton, Washington	M3.3	143 km	15 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

23 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 26, 1958	EF2	46 km	0.3 mi	0
May 6, 2022	EF1	37 km	2.9 mi	0
May 6, 2009	EF1	18 km	1.6 mi	0
May 19, 2006	EF1	75 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 19, 2004	EF1	96 km	2.2 mi	0
Jan 16, 2000	EF1	91 km	1.0 mi	0
Apr 23, 1983	EF1	97 km	3.0 mi	0
Mar 5, 2024	EF0	33 km	0.2 mi	0
Jun 27, 2023	EF0	49 km	0.1 mi	0
Mar 31, 2020	EF0	84 km	0.1 mi	0
May 22, 2016	EF0	67 km	0.2 mi	0
Apr 14, 2011	EF0	81 km	0.2 mi	0
May 6, 2009	EF0	94 km	0.2 mi	0
Jun 7, 2004	EF0	88 km	0.5 mi	0
May 23, 2004	EF0	42 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 13, 2002	EF0	8 km	0.2 mi	0
Jul 9, 1995	EF0	43 km	0.1 mi	0
May 1, 1991	EF0	14 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 24, 1987	EF0	54 km	0.2 mi	0
Jun 21, 1983	EF0	64 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: BATTLE MOUNTAIN COMPLEX (184,979 acres, 2024).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2024	BATTLE MOUNTAIN COMPLEX	184,979	86 km
2006	COLUMBIA COMPLEX	118,865	90 km
2015	BUTTE CREEK	79,418	95 km
2007	MONUMENT COMPLEX (RED HILL FIRE)	54,572	96 km
1996	TOWER	50,827	72 km
2008	COAL PLANT	45,801	76 km
2001	MONUMENT COMPLEX (MALLORY)	29,095	96 km
2000	UNNAMED	27,815	46 km
2015	UNNAMED	27,736	81 km
2021	ELBOW CREEK	23,103	91 km
1996	UNNAMED	21,130	38 km
2005	WALKER CANYON	20,764	88 km
2010	EUREKA	19,811	87 km
2024	JACK CANYON MUTUAL AID	18,287	33 km
2023	HAT ROCK	17,264	38 km
1990	LOCUSTGROV	17,187	56 km
2020	KAHLOTUS	16,738	96 km
2000	HORN BUTTE	16,581	99 km
2009	NORTH FORK COMPLEX	16,461	84 km
1987	RYDER CREEK	16,269	83 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

Riverside 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").

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