Climate - The Dalles (Oregon)

The climate of The Dalles is moderately continental, with quite cold, rainy winters and hot, sunny summers.
The city is located in northern Oregon, on the banks of the Columbia River, in the plains, but east of the Cascade Range, therefore in an arid area. To the southwest, 45 km (28 mi), and clearly visible from the city, is Mount Hood, the highest peak in Oregon, while to the north, in the state of Washington, we find Mount Adams and Mount St. Helens.
During the winter, there are fairly mild periods, but also cold periods, in which the minimum temperature can drop to -10 °C (14 °F). Once every few years, cold waves can occur, during which the temperature can drop to -20 °C (-4 °F). Snowfalls are rare. On average, 12 cm (4.7 in) of snow fall per year.
In summer, there are several very hot days, alternating with cooler periods. On the hottest days of the year, the temperature generally reaches 39/40 °C (102/104 °F), but sometimes even higher.
The average temperature of the coldest month (December) is of 1.8 °C (35 °F), that of the warmest month (July) is of 23.3 °C (74 °F). Here are the average temperatures.

Precipitation amounts to 360 millimeters (14.2 inches) per year: it is therefore quite scarce. It ranges from 5 mm (0.2 in) in the driest months (July, August) to 70 mm (2.8 in) in the wettest (December). Here is the average precipitation.

Best Time

The best times to visit The Dalles are spring and autumn, and in particular the months of May and September, to avoid both the winter cold and the summer heat.

Back to the climate of Oregon.