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Weather & Climate in Rufus, OR
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Rufus experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 68°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 16.5 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 26.6 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32. The city sits at an elevation of 256 feet.
Temperature
31°F Jan (-1°C)
68°F Jul (20°C)
| Annual Average | 48.0°F |
| 11% below US avg | |
| January Average | 31°F (-1°C) |
| July Average | 68°F (20°C) |
| Sunny Days | 311 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 256 ft (78 m) |
| Area | 1.2 sq mi (3.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 191/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 45.6890°N, 120.7461°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Klickitat County County |
| Nearest Airport | Columbia Gorge Regional/The Dalles Municipal (DLS) 21 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 32.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 73.9 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 67.1 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 33.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively High |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Volcano | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
1,061 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.5.
| Jun 29, 2002 | 6 km ENE of Government Camp, Oregon | M4.5 | 83 km | 5 km |
| Feb 14, 2011 | 31 km S of Morton, Washington | M4.3 | 131 km | 4 km |
| Jun 17, 2010 | 30 km S of White Swan, Washington | M4.2 | 47 km | 3 km |
| Jul 14, 2008 | 11 km ESE of Maupin, Oregon | M4.2 | 64 km | 16 km |
| Jan 30, 2000 | 6 km SE of Condon, Oregon | M4.1 | 73 km | -1 km |
| Aug 16, 2004 | 16 km ENE of Packwood, Washington | M4.0 | 123 km | -1 km |
| Oct 9, 1998 | 20 km S of White Swan, Washington | M4.0 | 57 km | 2 km |
| Jun 6, 2021 | 6 km NE of Government Camp, Oregon | M3.9 | 83 km | 4 km |
| Jun 25, 2004 | 17 km W of Packwood, Washington | M3.9 | 137 km | -1 km |
| Aug 7, 1992 | 8 km WSW of Irrigon, Oregon | M3.9 | 92 km | 0 km |
| Nov 18, 1997 | 20 km NW of Bickleton, Washington | M3.9 | 55 km | 15 km |
| Oct 1, 2004 | 37 km NNE of Amboy, Washington | M3.9 | 125 km | -1 km |
| Mar 22, 1997 | 10 km ESE of Condon, Oregon | M3.9 | 76 km | 0 km |
| Jan 3, 2018 | 37 km SSE of Morton, Washington | M3.9 | 119 km | 10 km |
| Jun 14, 2007 | 12 km ESE of Maupin, Oregon | M3.8 | 65 km | 18 km |
| Mar 29, 2010 | 10 km NE of Cliffdell, Washington | M3.8 | 147 km | 1 km |
| Aug 3, 2006 | 2 km WNW of Cherry Grove, Washington | M3.8 | 145 km | 14 km |
| Jun 29, 2002 | 7 km NE of Government Camp, Oregon | M3.8 | 82 km | 5 km |
| May 18, 2008 | 11 km SSW of Benton City, Washington | M3.7 | 107 km | 20 km |
| Aug 23, 2013 | 24 km SSE of Mossyrock, Washington | M3.7 | 145 km | 14 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
9 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF1.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 19, 2006 | EF1 | 84 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 14, 2011 | EF0 | 86 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 7, 2008 | EF0 | 97 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 23, 2005 | EF0 | 74 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 23, 2005 | EF0 | 81 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 2004 | EF0 | 86 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| May 15, 2000 | EF0 | 93 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Aug 26, 1997 | EF0 | 77 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 12, 1957 | EF0 | 57 km | 16.2 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 | 125 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
10 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Adams (81 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Adams | Stratovolcano | 3,742 m (12,277 ft) | 950 | 81 km |
| Hood | Stratovolcano | 3,426 m (11,240 ft) | 1866 | 82 km |
| Indian Heaven | Shield(s) | 1,806 m (5,925 ft) | -6250 | 87 km |
| West Crater | Volcanic field | 1,329 m (4,360 ft) | -5750 | 106 km |
| St. Helens | Stratovolcano | 2,549 m (8,363 ft) | 2008 | 125 km |
| Jefferson | Stratovolcano | 3,199 m (10,495 ft) | 950 | 140 km |
| Rainier | Stratovolcano | 4,392 m (14,409 ft) | 1450 | 151 km |
| Sand Mountain Field | Pyroclastic cone(s) | 1,664 m (5,459 ft) | -950 | 173 km |
| Belknap | Shield(s) | 2,095 m (6,873 ft) | 480 | 178 km |
| Three Sisters | Complex | 3,159 m (10,364 ft) | 440 | 191 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: BOXCAR 0410 RN (99,874 acres, 2018).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2018 | BOXCAR 0410 RN | 99,874 | 77 km |
| 2000 | MULE DRY | 90,184 | 58 km |
| 2011 | HANCOCK COMPLEX | 71,495 | 81 km |
| 2017 | NENA SPRINGS | 70,074 | 87 km |
| 2018 | SUBSTATION 0730 RN | 69,109 | 26 km |
| 2011 | 0655 RAZOR BACK EAST | 65,350 | 83 km |
| 2023 | NEWELL ROAD | 61,833 | 37 km |
| 2015 | COUGAR CREEK | 51,866 | 73 km |
| 2024 | BIG HORN | 51,023 | 54 km |
| 2013 | SUNNYSIDE TURNOFF | 50,028 | 96 km |
| 2018 | STUBBLEFIELD 1008 RN | 49,160 | 57 km |
| 2017 | EAGLE CREEK | 48,816 | 93 km |
| 2008 | COAL PLANT | 45,801 | 80 km |
| 2014 | BLACK ROCK | 40,760 | 77 km |
| 2014 | SHANIKO BUTTE | 39,852 | 82 km |
| 2015 | HIGHWAY 8 | 35,296 | 45 km |
| 2018 | LONG HOLLOW 0806 RN | 33,662 | 42 km |
| 2016 | 0353 RN SCOTT CANYON | 32,051 | 45 km |
| 2010 | WHITE LIGHTNING COMPLEX (YOUTHER) | 30,322 | 80 km |
| 2002 | WHITE RIVER | 28,930 | 53 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 31°F (-1°C) | 2.3 in | Coldest |
| February | 37°F (3°C) | 1.5 in | |
| March | 43°F (6°C) | 1.2 in | |
| April | 48°F (9°C) | 0.8 in | |
| May | 55°F (13°C) | 0.8 in | |
| June | 62°F (17°C) | 0.5 in | |
| July | 68°F (20°C) | 0.2 in | Driest |
| August | 69°F (21°C) | 0.3 in | Warmest |
| September | 62°F (17°C) | 0.5 in | |
| October | 52°F (11°C) | 0.9 in | |
| November | 40°F (4°C) | 2.2 in | |
| December | 33°F (1°C) | 2.4 in | Wettest |
Rufus has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 31°F in January to 69°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 13.6 inches, with December being the wettest month (2.4") and July the driest (0.2").