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Weather & Climate in Vale, OR
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Vale experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 28°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. The area gets 302 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 10.0 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32. The city sits at an elevation of 2,243 feet.
Temperature
28°F Jan (-2°C)
75°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 49.9°F |
| 8% below US avg | |
| January Average | 28°F (-2°C) |
| July Average | 75°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 302 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,243 ft (684 m) |
| Area | 0.4 sq mi (1.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,931/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 43.9839°N, 117.2421°W |
| Timezone | America/Los_Angeles |
| County | Malheur County County |
| Nearest Airport | Boise Air Trml/Gowen Field (BOI) 59 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 32.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 34.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 42.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 2.9 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| 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
149 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.9.
| Feb 26, 2024 | 10 km N of Smiths Ferry, Idaho | M4.9 | 101 km | 12 km |
| Oct 27, 1994 | 11 km SE of Halfway, Oregon | M4.0 | 94 km | 10 km |
| Oct 4, 2002 | 15 km W of Cascade, Idaho | M3.8 | 99 km | 5 km |
| Mar 12, 2023 | 11 km S of Donnelly, Idaho | M3.7 | 117 km | 12 km |
| Apr 6, 1995 | 11 km N of Smiths Ferry, Idaho | M3.7 | 102 km | 5 km |
| Sep 14, 2000 | 4 km W of Smiths Ferry, Idaho | M3.7 | 94 km | 7 km |
| Aug 3, 2002 | 8 km NNW of Smiths Ferry, Idaho | M3.5 | 98 km | 5 km |
| Dec 24, 1999 | 18 km WNW of New Meadows, Idaho | M3.5 | 134 km | 3 km |
| Mar 1, 2024 | 8 km N of Smiths Ferry, Idaho | M3.5 | 100 km | 10 km |
| Mar 17, 1995 | 5 km S of Cascade, Idaho | M3.5 | 109 km | 5 km |
| Apr 24, 2007 | 12 km WSW of Cascade, Idaho | M3.5 | 100 km | 5 km |
| Mar 12, 2024 | 8 km NNW of Smiths Ferry, Idaho | M3.5 | 99 km | 16 km |
| Mar 5, 2024 | 8 km N of Smiths Ferry, Idaho | M3.5 | 102 km | 10 km |
| Apr 6, 2002 | 9 km NW of Cascade, Idaho | M3.5 | 110 km | 5 km |
| Oct 4, 2002 | 20 km WSW of Cascade, Idaho | M3.4 | 93 km | 5 km |
| Mar 10, 2001 | 18 km ESE of Donnelly, Idaho | M3.4 | 135 km | 5 km |
| Aug 21, 2010 | 29 km NNE of Lowman, Idaho | M3.4 | 145 km | 5 km |
| Sep 26, 1995 | 9 km E of McCall, Idaho | M3.4 | 143 km | 5 km |
| Oct 4, 2002 | 15 km W of Cascade, Idaho | M3.4 | 99 km | 5 km |
| Apr 6, 2024 | 9 km NNW of Smiths Ferry, Idaho | M3.4 | 99 km | 14 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
36 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF1.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 30, 1997 | EF1 | 6 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| May 17, 1996 | EF1 | 27 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| May 17, 1996 | EF1 | 37 km | 5.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 19, 1991 | EF1 | 61 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 9, 1990 | EF1 | 44 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Oct 26, 1984 | EF1 | 84 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Mar 21, 1984 | EF1 | 90 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 1, 1983 | EF1 | 32 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 23, 1974 | EF1 | 26 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 25, 1966 | EF1 | 27 km | 19.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 9, 1956 | EF1 | 67 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 2023 | EF0 | 69 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| May 27, 2022 | EF0 | 75 km | 3.8 mi | 0 |
| Aug 25, 2004 | EF0 | 48 km | — | 0 |
| Aug 25, 2004 | EF0 | 53 km | — | 0 |
| Apr 6, 2003 | EF0 | 70 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 29, 2002 | EF0 | 53 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 7, 2002 | EF0 | 61 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 13, 2001 | EF0 | 37 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 15, 2000 | EF0 | 70 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
2 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Jordan Craters (95 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Jordan Craters | Volcanic field | 1,473 m (4,833 ft) | -1250 | 95 km |
| Diamond Craters | Volcanic field | 1,435 m (4,708 ft) | -5610 | 156 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: SODA (282,888 acres, 2015).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2015 | SODA | 282,888 | 80 km |
| 2024 | PADDOCK | 186,842 | 61 km |
| 2024 | COW VALLEY | 134,642 | 37 km |
| 2015 | CORNET-WINDY RIDGE | 102,553 | 78 km |
| 2020 | WOODHEAD | 98,995 | 93 km |
| 2000 | JACKSON | 80,733 | 20 km |
| 2006 | CHERRY | 56,773 | 70 km |
| 1996 | BOGUS CREEK | 56,721 | 100 km |
| 2015 | BENDIRE COMPLEX | 49,260 | 57 km |
| 2013 | OWYHEE | 48,001 | 39 km |
| 2007 | IRISH SPRING | 47,845 | 72 km |
| 2020 | INDIAN CREEK | 46,275 | 54 km |
| 2006 | STAR MOUNTAIN | 45,243 | 81 km |
| 2016 | RAIL | 43,813 | 97 km |
| 2002 | TRIMBLY CREEK | 43,085 | 60 km |
| 1986 | BISSELL CK | 40,847 | 50 km |
| 1994 | SWAMP CREEK | 40,332 | 91 km |
| 1986 | VAN DUSEN | 39,901 | 64 km |
| 2022 | WILLOW CREEK | 38,585 | 20 km |
| 2016 | CHERRY ROAD | 35,219 | 47 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 28°F (-2°C) | 1.3 in | Coldest |
| February | 34°F (1°C) | 0.9 in | |
| March | 43°F (6°C) | 1.0 in | |
| April | 50°F (10°C) | 0.8 in | |
| May | 58°F (15°C) | 1.0 in | |
| June | 67°F (19°C) | 0.9 in | |
| July | 75°F (24°C) | 0.4 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 73°F (23°C) | 0.5 in | |
| September | 63°F (17°C) | 0.5 in | |
| October | 51°F (11°C) | 0.7 in | |
| November | 38°F (3°C) | 1.2 in | |
| December | 28°F (-2°C) | 1.4 in | Wettest |
Vale has a seasonal temperature swing of 47°F / from 28°F in January to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 10.5 inches, with December being the wettest month (1.4") and July the driest (0.4").