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[[Image:Climatemapusa2.PNG|thumb|240px|right|Climate zones of the Continental United States.]]
[[Image:Climatemapusa2.PNG|thumb|240px|right|Climate zones of the Continental United States.]]
'''Oregon's climate''' varies greatly between the western and eastern regions of the state. An [[oceanic climate]] (also called "marine west coast climate") predominates in [[Western Oregon]], and a much drier semi-arid climate prevails east of the [[Cascade Range]] in [[Eastern Oregon]]. Major factors determining Oregon's climate include the large semi-permanent high pressure and low pressure systems of the north [[Pacific Ocean]], the continental air masses of [[North America]], and the Cascade mountains.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.geog.nau.edu/courses/alew/ggr346/text/chapters/ch10.html|title=The Pacific Coast|author=Lew, Allen A.|publisher=[[Northern Arizona University]]|year=2004|accessdate=2010-04-16}}</ref> Oregon's population centers, which lie mostly in the western part of the state, are generally moist and mild, while the lightly populated high deserts of [[Central Oregon|Central]] and Eastern Oregon are much drier.
'''Oregon's climate''' is generally mild. West of the [[Cascade Mountains]], winters are chilly with frequent rain, while light snowfall occurs a few days a year; temperatures can get very cold, but only occasionally, as the result of [[Arctic]] [[cold waves]]. The high desert region of the state is much drier, with less rain, more snow, colder winters, and hotter summers. An [[oceanic climate]] (also called "marine west coast climate") predominates in [[Western Oregon]], and a much drier semi-arid climate prevails east of the [[Cascade Range]] in [[Eastern Oregon]]. Major factors determining Oregon's climate include the large semi-permanent high pressure and low pressure systems of the north [[Pacific Ocean]], the continental air masses of [[North America]], and the Cascade mountains.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.geog.nau.edu/courses/alew/ggr346/text/chapters/ch10.html|title=The Pacific Coast|author=Lew, Allen A.|publisher=[[Northern Arizona University]]|year=2004|accessdate=2010-04-16}}</ref> Oregon's population centers, which lie mostly in the western part of the state, are generally moist and mild, while the lightly populated high deserts of [[Central Oregon|Central]] and Eastern Oregon are much drier.


==Precipitation==
==Precipitation==

Revision as of 19:13, 18 June 2015

Climate zones of the Continental United States.

Oregon's climate is generally mild. West of the Cascade Mountains, winters are chilly with frequent rain, while light snowfall occurs a few days a year; temperatures can get very cold, but only occasionally, as the result of Arctic cold waves. The high desert region of the state is much drier, with less rain, more snow, colder winters, and hotter summers. An oceanic climate (also called "marine west coast climate") predominates in Western Oregon, and a much drier semi-arid climate prevails east of the Cascade Range in Eastern Oregon. Major factors determining Oregon's climate include the large semi-permanent high pressure and low pressure systems of the north Pacific Ocean, the continental air masses of North America, and the Cascade mountains.[1] Oregon's population centers, which lie mostly in the western part of the state, are generally moist and mild, while the lightly populated high deserts of Central and Eastern Oregon are much drier.

Precipitation

Oregon experiences extensive variation in rainfall

Precipitation in the state varies widely: the deserts of eastern Oregon, such as the Alvord Desert (in the rain shadow of Steens Mountain), get as little as 8 inches (200 mm) annually, while some western coastal slopes approach 200 inches (5,100 mm) annually.[2]

Temperature range

Snowfall in Oregon is concentrated along the Cascade Range.

Oregon has a wide range of temperature extremes throughout the state, varying from a low of −54 °F (−48 °C) to a high of 119 °F (48 °C), though these record temperatures are rarely experienced.[2] The temperature in the Willamette Valley is mild compared to the desert regions of the state, with high temperatures at or above 90 °F (32 °C) occurring only five to fifteen times per year, and low temperatures below 30 °F (−1 °C) similarly infrequent.[3] The hottest area of the state is the southwest; Jackson County is the warmest place in the state during summer.[4]

The High Desert region of Oregon.








Monthly Normal High and Low Temperatures (°F / °C) For Various Oregon Cities[5]
City Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Annual
Precipitation
hi lo hi lo hi lo hi lo hi lo hi lo hi lo hi lo hi lo hi lo hi lo hi lo
Astoria 48 9 37 3 51 11 38 3 53 12 39 4 56 13 41 5 60 16 45 7 64 18 50 10 67 19 53 12 68 20 53 12 68 20 50 10 61 16 44 7 53 12 40 4 48 9 37 3 67.1 inches (1,700 mm)
Bend 40 4 23 -5 44 7 25 -4 51 11 27 -3 57 14 30 -1 65 18 36 2 73 23 41 5 81 27 46 8 81 27 46 8 72 22 39 4 62 17 32 0 46 8 28 -2 40 4 23 -5 11.7 inches (300 mm)
Brookings 55 13 42 6 56 13 42 6 58 14 42 6 60 16 44 7 63 17 47 8 67 19 50 10 68 20 52 11 68 20 53 12 68 20 51 11 65 18 48 9 58 14 45 7 55 13 41 5 73.4 inches (1,860 mm)
Burns 35 2 14 -10 40 4 19 -7 49 9 25 -4 57 14 29 -2 66 19 36 2 75 24 41 5 85 29 46 8 84 29 44 7 75 24 35 2 62 17 26 -3 45 7 21 -6 35 2 15 -9 10.5 inches (270 mm)
Eugene 46 8 33 1 51 11 35 2 56 13 37 3 61 16 39 4 67 19 43 6 73 23 47 8 82 28 51 11 82 28 51 11 77 25 47 8 65 18 40 4 52 11 37 3 46 8 33 1 50.9 inches (1,290 mm)
Medford 47 8 31 -1 54 12 33 1 58 14 36 2 64 18 39 4 72 22 44 7 81 27 50 10 90 32 55 13 90 32 55 13 84 29 48 9 70 21 40 4 53 12 35 2 45 7 31 -1 21.1 inches (540 mm)
Pendleton 40 4 27 -3 46 8 31 -1 55 13 35 2 62 17 40 4 70 21 46 8 79 26 52 11 88 32 58 14 87 31 57 14 77 25 50 10 64 18 41 5 48 9 34 1 40 4 28 -2 13.9 inches (350 mm)
Portland 46 8 37 3 50 10 39 4 56 13 41 5 61 16 44 7 67 19 49 9 73 23 53 12 79 26 57 14 79 26 58 14 74 23 55 13 63 17 48 9 51 11 42 6 46 8 37 3 43.1 inches (1,090 mm)
Salem 47 8 34 1 51 11 35 2 56 13 37 3 61 16 39 4 68 20 44 7 74 23 48 9 82 28 52 11 82 28 52 11 77 25 48 9 64 18 41 5 52 11 38 3 46 8 34 1 40 inches (1,000 mm)

See also

References

  1. ^ Lew, Allen A. (2004). "The Pacific Coast". Northern Arizona University. Retrieved 2010-04-16.
  2. ^ a b Western Regional Climate Center. "Climate of Oregon". Desert Research Institute. Retrieved 2010-04-16.
  3. ^ Taylor, George, Cadee Hale and Sarah Joos. "Climate of Multnomah County". Oregon State University. Retrieved 2010-04-16.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  4. ^ Taylor, George, Cadee Hale and Sarah Joos. "Climate of Jackson County". Oregon State University. Retrieved 2010-04-16.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  5. ^ Portland, OR monthly averages. US Travel Weather.com. Retrieved October 16, 2007.
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