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Seasonal
Expectations:
What's
it going to be like in the Columbia Gorge and on Mt. Hood?
Planning
a trip to Oregon? Here's some information to help you anticipate
the kinds of weather conditions you may experience.
First,
let's clear up the "rainy Oregon" perception. Yes,
it rains a lot in Oregon ... if you're visiting during the
months of November, December, January, February or March.
If
you plan your trip in July, August or September, you can expect
wonderful and dry days.
It's
impossible, of course, to predict what the weather will be
like a few months from now. Looking back at past weather data,
however, helps create some clear pictures.
The
following charts show the average daily high and low temperatures
each month for selected locations throughout the state. The
charts also list the average monthly rainfall (and snowfall
where appropriate). These averages where established by the
Oregon Climate Service for the years 1971-2000.
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Oregon
Weather Rules of Thumb
George
H. Taylor, the state climatologist with the Oregon
Climate Service, provides detailed statistical
information concerning Oregon weather patterns.
Here are a few facts on which to gauge what kind
of whether you may face.
• July
is consistently the driest month throughout Oregon.
• Western
Oregon receives the bulk of its annual precipitation
during winter. In fact, there's measurable precipitation
more than half the winter days. In summer, only
10 to 15% of the days are wet.
• Although
there is some variation from north to south, the
wettest months tend to be the November-March period.
• Although
rain can occur during the warm season, average
totals during those months are generally lower
than during winter.
• East
of the Cascade Mountains, the monthly rainfall
averages are much more uniform. Some locations
receive more rain in summer than in winter.
• Precipitation
is highest near the coast and in higher elevations,
and increasingly lower as you move eastward.
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