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Weather & Climate in Sandy, OR
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Sandy experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 40°F in January while summers reach 65°F in July. The area gets 251 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 79.0 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 2.9 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32. The city sits at an elevation of 918 feet.
Temperature
40°F Jan (4°C)
65°F Jul (18°C)
| Annual Average | 51.4°F |
| 5% below US avg | |
| January Average | 40°F (4°C) |
| July Average | 65°F (18°C) |
| Sunny Days | 251 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 918 ft (280 m) |
| Area | 3.1 sq mi (8.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 3,452/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 45.3981°N, 122.2688°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Multnomah County County |
| Nearest Airport | Portland International (PDX) 21 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 32.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 98.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 29.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 95.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively High |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively High |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively High |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Coastal Flood | Relatively Low |
| Volcano | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
995 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 | 48 km | 20 km |
| Jun 29, 2002 | 6 km ENE of Government Camp, Oregon | M4.5 | 46 km | 5 km |
| Feb 14, 2011 | 31 km S of Morton, Washington | M4.3 | 98 km | 4 km |
| Jul 14, 2008 | 11 km ESE of Maupin, Oregon | M4.2 | 108 km | 16 km |
| Jun 17, 2010 | 30 km S of White Swan, Washington | M4.2 | 142 km | 3 km |
| Jun 6, 2021 | 6 km NE of Government Camp, Oregon | M3.9 | 45 km | 4 km |
| Apr 24, 2003 | 3 km NW of North Portland, Oregon | M3.9 | 45 km | 17 km |
| Jun 25, 2004 | 17 km W of Packwood, Washington | M3.9 | 140 km | -1 km |
| Oct 1, 2004 | 37 km NNE of Amboy, Washington | M3.9 | 89 km | -1 km |
| Jan 3, 2018 | 37 km SSE of Morton, Washington | M3.9 | 97 km | 10 km |
| Feb 8, 1995 | 9 km ESE of Hubbard, Oregon | M3.8 | 45 km | 24 km |
| Aug 3, 2006 | 2 km WNW of Cherry Grove, Washington | M3.8 | 52 km | 14 km |
| Jun 14, 2007 | 12 km ESE of Maupin, Oregon | M3.8 | 108 km | 18 km |
| Jun 29, 2002 | 7 km NE of Government Camp, Oregon | M3.8 | 46 km | 5 km |
| Oct 1, 2004 | 36 km NNE of Amboy, Washington | M3.7 | 89 km | -2 km |
| Aug 23, 2013 | 24 km SSE of Mossyrock, Washington | M3.7 | 103 km | 14 km |
| Jun 8, 1993 | 5 km ESE of Scotts Mills, Oregon | M3.7 | 48 km | 19 km |
| Jan 31, 2013 | 3 km ENE of Amboy, Washington | M3.7 | 59 km | 6 km |
| Oct 1, 2004 | 37 km NNE of Amboy, Washington | M3.6 | 89 km | -1 km |
| Oct 1, 2004 | 37 km NNE of Amboy, Washington | M3.6 | 89 km | -1 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
60 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 | 36 km | 8.7 mi | 6 |
| Dec 14, 2010 | EF2 | 78 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 8, 1993 | EF2 | 55 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 1, 2017 | EF1 | 96 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| Dec 10, 2015 | EF1 | 46 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Oct 23, 2014 | EF1 | 97 km | 1.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 2013 | EF1 | 75 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jan 10, 2008 | EF1 | 45 km | 10.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 2003 | EF1 | 94 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Oct 9, 2000 | EF1 | 25 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Oct 9, 2000 | EF1 | 39 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Nov 12, 1991 | EF1 | 19 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Nov 12, 1991 | EF1 | 40 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 29, 1989 | EF1 | 62 km | 1.6 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 1985 | EF1 | 100 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Oct 13, 1984 | EF1 | 69 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 16, 1978 | EF1 | 64 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Mar 8, 1960 | EF1 | 85 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 12, 1957 | EF1 | 2 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Oct 28, 2024 | EF0 | 99 km | 0.2 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 | 89 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
11 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Hood (45 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Hood | Stratovolcano | 3,426 m (11,240 ft) | 1866 | 45 km |
| West Crater | Volcanic field | 1,329 m (4,360 ft) | -5750 | 56 km |
| Indian Heaven | Shield(s) | 1,806 m (5,925 ft) | -6250 | 69 km |
| Jefferson | Stratovolcano | 3,199 m (10,495 ft) | 950 | 89 km |
| St. Helens | Stratovolcano | 2,549 m (8,363 ft) | 2008 | 89 km |
| Adams | Stratovolcano | 3,742 m (12,277 ft) | 950 | 108 km |
| Sand Mountain Field | Pyroclastic cone(s) | 1,664 m (5,459 ft) | -950 | 116 km |
| Belknap | Shield(s) | 2,095 m (6,873 ft) | 480 | 128 km |
| Three Sisters | Complex | 3,159 m (10,364 ft) | 440 | 146 km |
| Bachelor | Stratovolcano | 2,763 m (9,065 ft) | -5800 | 164 km |
| Rainier | Stratovolcano | 4,392 m (14,409 ft) | 1450 | 167 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 | 77 km |
| 2020 | BEACHIE CREEK | 194,619 | 61 km |
| 2020 | RIVERSIDE | 138,190 | 30 km |
| 1996 | SIMNASHO | 118,466 | 95 km |
| 2017 | NENA SPRINGS | 70,074 | 96 km |
| 2015 | COUNTY LINE 2 | 68,189 | 92 km |
| 2017 | EAGLE CREEK | 48,816 | 35 km |
| 2011 | HIGH CASCADES | 44,498 | 94 km |
| 2014 | SHANIKO BUTTE | 39,852 | 95 km |
| 2010 | WHITE LIGHTNING COMPLEX (YOUTHER) | 30,322 | 94 km |
| 2021 | BULL COMPLEX | 26,233 | 62 km |
| 2020 | BIG HOLLOW | 24,243 | 63 km |
| 2018 | SOUTH VALLEY ROAD | 20,471 | 87 km |
| 2020 | WHITE RIVER | 17,678 | 71 km |
| 1992 | CHICKEN SP | 15,045 | 99 km |
| 2007 | WSA LIGHTNING COMPLEX (BIDDLE PASS) | 14,147 | 96 km |
| 2012 | WATERFALLS 2 | 12,612 | 85 km |
| 2017 | WHITEWATER | 11,758 | 84 km |
| 2002 | SHELDON RIDGE | 11,665 | 75 km |
| 2013 | GOVERNMENT FLATS COMPLEX | 10,993 | 70 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 40°F (4°C) | 10.7 in | |
| February | 42°F (6°C) | 8.6 in | |
| March | 45°F (7°C) | 7.9 in | |
| April | 49°F (9°C) | 6.4 in | |
| May | 54°F (12°C) | 4.8 in | |
| June | 60°F (15°C) | 3.4 in | |
| July | 65°F (18°C) | 1.3 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 65°F (18°C) | 1.6 in | |
| September | 61°F (16°C) | 3.5 in | |
| October | 52°F (11°C) | 5.9 in | |
| November | 44°F (7°C) | 10.9 in | |
| December | 39°F (4°C) | 11.4 in | Coldest, Wettest |
Sandy has a seasonal temperature swing of 26°F / from 39°F in December to 65°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 76.5 inches, with December being the wettest month (11.4") and July the driest (1.3").