Weather & Climate in Seneca, OR
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Seneca has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 41°F (5°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 60°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 13.7 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 9.6 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 49. 52% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 4,661 feet.
Temperature
24°F Jan (-5°C)
60°F Jul (16°C)
| Annual Average | 40.5°F |
| 25% below US avg | |
| January Average | 24°F (-5°C) |
| July Average | 60°F (16°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 4,661 ft (1,421 m) |
| Area | 0.8 sq mi (2.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 149/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 44.1352°N, 118.9763°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Grant County County |
| Nearest Airport | Grant County Regional/Ogilvie Field (JDA) 19 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 49.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Good Days % | 51.6% |
| Unhealthy Days | 19 |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 32.1 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 80.0 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 30.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
48 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.1.
| Jan 30, 2000 | 6 km SE of Condon, Oregon | M4.1 | 149 km | -1 km |
| Mar 22, 1997 | 10 km ESE of Condon, Oregon | M3.9 | 146 km | 0 km |
| Feb 1, 2000 | 7 km SE of Condon, Oregon | M3.6 | 148 km | -1 km |
| Aug 31, 1999 | Washington-Oregon border region | M3.5 | 146 km | 3 km |
| Jan 30, 2000 | 8 km SE of Condon, Oregon | M3.4 | 147 km | -1 km |
| Aug 27, 2000 | 16 km W of Richland, Oregon | M3.3 | 144 km | 0 km |
| Apr 17, 1997 | 9 km ESE of Condon, Oregon | M3.2 | 146 km | 3 km |
| Jul 25, 2009 | 10 km NW of Brogan, Oregon | M3.2 | 111 km | 7 km |
| Jul 13, 2000 | 7 km NW of Unity, Oregon | M3.1 | 68 km | 19 km |
| Mar 23, 1997 | 11 km ESE of Condon, Oregon | M3.1 | 145 km | -1 km |
| Mar 23, 1997 | 10 km E of Condon, Oregon | M3.1 | 150 km | 17 km |
| Oct 1, 2003 | 25 km W of Richland, Oregon | M3.1 | 136 km | 21 km |
| Oct 17, 1993 | 33 km SE of Prairie City, Oregon | M3.1 | 41 km | 13 km |
| Apr 19, 2007 | 63 km W of Hines, Oregon | M3.1 | 98 km | -1 km |
| Jan 4, 1990 | 16 km E of Baker City, Oregon | M3.0 | 128 km | 5 km |
| Dec 16, 1993 | 8 km ESE of Condon, Oregon | M3.0 | 147 km | 6 km |
| Sep 4, 1999 | 10 km SE of Condon, Oregon | M2.9 | 145 km | 1 km |
| Mar 21, 1999 | 13 km ESE of Condon, Oregon | M2.9 | 143 km | 22 km |
| Dec 18, 1993 | 9 km ESE of Condon, Oregon | M2.9 | 146 km | 3 km |
| Aug 25, 2016 | 7 km SSE of Haines, Oregon | M2.8 | 117 km | 19 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
8 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF1.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jul 19, 2004 | EF1 | 85 km | 2.2 mi | 0 |
| Nov 5, 2023 | EF0 | 30 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 27, 2023 | EF0 | 69 km | 2.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 8, 2016 | EF0 | 90 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Oct 4, 2003 | EF0 | 59 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Aug 9, 2001 | EF0 | 62 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Aug 9, 2001 | EF0 | 62 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Sep 15, 1997 | EF0 | 56 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
4 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Diamond Craters (117 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Diamond Craters | Volcanic field | 1,435 m (4,708 ft) | -5610 | 117 km |
| Jordan Craters | Volcanic field | 1,473 m (4,833 ft) | -1250 | 164 km |
| Devils Garden | Volcanic field | 1,698 m (5,571 ft) | Unknown | 166 km |
| Newberry | Shield | 2,434 m (7,986 ft) | 690 | 186 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
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 | 99 km |
| 2007 | EGLEY COMPLEX (EGLEY) | 139,515 | 48 km |
| 2015 | CANYON CREEK COMPLEX | 109,786 | 21 km |
| 2014 | BUZZARD | 88,679 | 89 km |
| 1990 | PINE SPRINGS BASIN | 71,143 | 63 km |
| 2014 | SOUTH FORK COMPLEX | 66,743 | 41 km |
| 2007 | MONUMENT COMPLEX (RED HILL FIRE) | 54,572 | 97 km |
| 2015 | BENDIRE COMPLEX | 49,260 | 83 km |
| 2007 | IRISH SPRING | 47,845 | 70 km |
| 2020 | INDIAN CREEK | 46,275 | 90 km |
| 2016 | RAIL | 43,813 | 55 km |
| 1996 | BULL COMPLEX (SUMMIT) | 36,318 | 70 km |
| 2007 | BARTLETT MOUNTAIN | 31,845 | 69 km |
| 2015 | CORNER CREEK 0297 PR | 30,303 | 52 km |
| 2001 | MONUMENT COMPLEX (MALLORY) | 29,095 | 93 km |
| 2007 | JUNIPER RESERVOIR | 28,455 | 78 km |
| 2021 | BLACK BUTTE | 24,736 | 49 km |
| 2002 | MONUMENT-MALHEUR COMPLEX (MONUMENT) | 23,860 | 57 km |
| 1990 | BUCK SPRINGS | 20,969 | 74 km |
| 2015 | ELDORADO | 20,962 | 75 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 24°F (-5°C) | 1.6 in | |
| February | 27°F (-3°C) | 1.0 in | |
| March | 33°F (1°C) | 1.2 in | |
| April | 39°F (4°C) | 1.2 in | |
| May | 47°F (8°C) | 1.7 in | |
| June | 53°F (12°C) | 1.2 in | |
| July | 60°F (16°C) | 0.5 in | Warmest |
| August | 58°F (15°C) | 0.4 in | Driest |
| September | 50°F (10°C) | 0.5 in | |
| October | 41°F (5°C) | 1.1 in | |
| November | 31°F (-1°C) | 1.4 in | |
| December | 23°F (-5°C) | 1.8 in | Coldest, Wettest |
Seneca has a seasonal temperature swing of 37°F / from 23°F in December to 60°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 13.7 inches, with December being the wettest month (1.8") and August the driest (0.4").