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Oregon has a temperate climate with marked regional variations.
The Cascade Mountain Range separates Oregon into two climatic zones:
the western 3rd, with fairly heavy precipitation and moderate temperatures,
and the eastern 2/3rds, with significantly less precipitation and more
extreme temperatures.
Average daily temperatures in January range from over 45 degrees F in
the coastal sections to 26 degrees F in the southeastern part of the
state. In July, the normal daily means range between 65 degrees F and
70 degrees F in Oregon’s plateau regions and its central valleys,
and between 70 degrees F and 78 degrees F along the eastern border.
The average annual rainfall in Portland equals approximately 37 inches;
rainfall elsewhere varies from less than 8 inches in the plateau regions
to as high as 200 inches on the upper western slopes of the Coast Range.
Fog is common in Portland, and the sun shines only 39% of the daylight
hours, on average. Oregon sees from 300 inches to 550 inches of snow
each year in the highest reaches of the Cascades. |
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