Understanding the Weather in Oregon

No matter where you go, the weather is always changing. Some places will be cold, others warm and some will even change by the hour. In Oregon, the weather stays near the same all year round. If you are looking for a place that isn’t too hot, or too cold then Oregon would be a good choice.

In Salem, Oregon, the averages for the year stay within a 40 degree change of temperature. Even in the coldest part of the year the lowest average is 32 degrees, so it’s not too cold. In the summer, you can plan on sunshine without all the excruciating heat as the average temperature at the peak is 82 degrees. At Central Point, Oregon it’s warmer with less annual precipitation. During July the highest average temperature is only 90 degrees while the lowest is only 30 degrees. I could keep naming the temperatures of Oregon, but I think you get the hint. Pretty much the state stays about the same throughout with a few small differences. That is what people find so great about Oregon they don’t have to prepare much for extreme heat or cold.

Now you’re thinking if they don’t have major changes in the hot and cold temperatures around the state, then what do the deal with? Well, the most they have to deal with is a lot of rain! Even or should I say especially during the winter. In the winter months almost half of the days are covered with precipitation. While in summer months there is only about 10-15% of the days where they deal with the precipitation. In fact, July is known to be the driest part of the year for Oregon. From November to March tends to be the wettest part of the year for Oregon, so if you are traveling during those months, you definitely want to pack to stay dry. When traveling, if you’re visiting Oregon during the dryer months, you still would want to pack just in case a rainfall hits. This is true especially if you are in the western part of Oregon, near the coast. They traditionally get more rainfall than the eastern edge does.

History has shown that the eastern side of Oregon has a more regular rainfall pattern, than the other parts. A lot of the weather changes in the state have to do with the mountains there and the coast. There is a lot of extra moisture on that side of the mountain, nothing you wouldn’t expect with that much water though.

As long as you don’t mind a little bit of wetness, the weather in Oregon is usually ideal for each season. The precipitation really isn’t that big of a problem as long as you’re prepared. All you need to make sure is that you have an umbrella or some type of rain jacket to keep you dry. Plus, if you visit the further side of Oregon from the coast then you will be able to stay dry and have less chance of getting soaked.