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Weather & Climate in Wallowa, OR

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

Wallowa experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 28°F in January while summers reach 67°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 18.0 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 47.9 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 23 / among the cleanest air in the country. 80% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 2,931 feet.

Temperature

28°F Jan (-2°C) 67°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average46.8°F
13% below US avg
January Average28°F (-2°C)
July Average67°F (20°C)
Sunny Days311 days/yr

Geography

Elevation2,931 ft (893 m)
Area0.2 sq mi (0.6 km²)
Population Density998/sq mi
Coordinates45.5704°N, 117.5286°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
CountyWallowa County County
Nearest AirportWalla Walla Regional (ALW)
51 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 18.0"
53% below US avg
Snowfall 47.9"
Wettest Month (Dec) 2.13"
Driest Month (Jul) 0.83"

Air Quality

AQI Median23.0
RatingGood
Good Days %79.7%
Unhealthy Days1

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery Low
Risk Score34.0 / 100
Social Vulnerability83.5 / 100
Community Resilience66.1 / 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 Very Low
Ice Storm Relatively Low
Drought Very Low
Cold Wave Relatively Low
Landslide Relatively Low
Avalanche Relatively High
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

106 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 77 km 9 km
Jul 14, 1992 6 km S of Walla Walla East, Washington M4.1 77 km 11 km
Oct 27, 1994 11 km SE of Halfway, Oregon M4.0 94 km 10 km
Jun 28, 1998 3 km SE of Genesee, Idaho M3.8 118 km 10 km
Jan 23, 2015 3 km N of Cayuse, Oregon M3.5 81 km 20 km
Dec 24, 1999 18 km WNW of New Meadows, Idaho M3.5 100 km 3 km
Jun 17, 2004 11 km SSE of Washtucna, Washington M3.4 134 km 17 km
Sep 26, 1995 9 km E of McCall, Idaho M3.4 142 km 5 km
Sep 26, 1995 southern Idaho M3.3 142 km 5 km
Feb 28, 2004 10 km WSW of Wallula, Washington M3.3 127 km 1 km
Jul 20, 1998 9 km ESE of Halfway, Oregon M3.3 90 km 12 km
Jun 16, 1992 10 km ESE of Halfway, Oregon M3.3 92 km 5 km
Aug 27, 2000 16 km W of Richland, Oregon M3.3 93 km 0 km
Dec 15, 1991 6 km SSW of Walla Walla East, Washington M3.3 78 km 8 km
Jul 25, 2009 10 km NW of Brogan, Oregon M3.2 140 km 7 km
Nov 23, 2001 6 km WNW of New Meadows, Idaho M3.2 112 km 0 km
Jul 19, 1998 10 km ESE of Halfway, Oregon M3.2 92 km 11 km
Jan 26, 1992 28 km ENE of Halfway, Oregon M3.2 83 km 5 km
Apr 10, 2012 3 km WNW of Touchet, Washington M3.2 106 km 14 km
Aug 14, 2017 19 km NNW of Halfway, Oregon M3.1 63 km 8 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

21 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 1 injury.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Jun 4, 2006 EF2 87 km 12.0 mi 0
Jun 11, 1968 EF2 33 km 9.6 mi 0
May 6, 2022 EF1 63 km 2.9 mi 0
May 6, 2009 EF1 79 km 1.6 mi 0
Jan 16, 2000 EF1 91 km 1.0 mi 0
Mar 5, 2024 EF0 77 km 0.2 mi 0
Jun 27, 2023 EF0 74 km 0.1 mi 0
Jul 12, 2016 EF0 38 km 1.0 mi 0
May 9, 2013 EF0 13 km 0.1 mi 0
May 6, 2009 EF0 1 km 0.2 mi 0
Aug 21, 2006 EF0 22 km 0.2 mi 0
Jun 23, 2004 EF0 81 km 0.1 mi 0
May 17, 1996 EF0 84 km 0.1 mi 0
May 11, 1995 EF0 91 km 0.1 mi 0
Jul 22, 1992 EF0 76 km 0.5 mi 0
Jul 22, 1992 EF0 80 km 0.5 mi 0
May 1, 1991 EF0 89 km 0.1 mi 0
Aug 24, 1987 EF0 83 km 0.2 mi 0
Jun 21, 1983 EF0 46 km 0.1 mi 0
Sep 16, 1975 EF0 86 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: DOUBLE CREEK (171,012 acres, 2022).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
2022 DOUBLE CREEK 171,012 68 km
2000 MALONEY CREEK 131,397 69 km
2006 COLUMBIA COMPLEX 118,865 70 km
2021 SHOVEL CREEK 109,829 75 km
2021 LICK CREEK 80,376 73 km
2015 BUTTE CREEK 79,418 49 km
2007 BATTLE CREEK COMPLEX (BATTLE CREEK) 79,114 71 km
2012 CACHE CREEK 75,521 61 km
2014 BIG COUGAR 65,397 71 km
2007 POE CABIN 59,704 84 km
1988 TEEPEE BUTTE 59,565 58 km
2006 FOSTER GULCH 52,496 88 km
2005 SCHOOL 51,701 80 km
2007 CHIMNEY COMPLEX 50,646 74 km
1996 SALT COMPLEX (SALT CREEK) 50,250 75 km
2017 POWERLINE 45,449 72 km
2021 GREEN RIDGE 44,604 66 km
2005 GRANITE COMPLEX 37,332 77 km
1986 JOSEPH/STARVATION 37,064 38 km
2014 SOMERS 36,374 77 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 28°F (-2°C) 2.1 in
February 31°F (-0°C) 1.5 in
March 37°F (3°C) 1.5 in
April 43°F (6°C) 1.5 in
May 50°F (10°C) 1.9 in
June 57°F (14°C) 1.7 in
July 67°F (20°C) 0.8 in Warmest, Driest
August 63°F (17°C) 0.9 in
September 55°F (13°C) 1.1 in
October 45°F (7°C) 1.5 in
November 35°F (1°C) 2.1 in
December 27°F (-3°C) 2.1 in Coldest, Wettest

Wallowa has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 27°F in December to 67°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 18.6 inches, with December being the wettest month (2.1") and July the driest (0.8").

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