Climate of the Oregon High Desert


	Oregon High Desert Climate
Home Our Researchers Where Is It? Why a High Desert? Other Names Really a Desert? Elevation Climate Terrain Micro-Climates Ecology Animals Geology Paleontology Photos Maps Hikes Related Studies		The climate is dry with typically about 10-12" of rain per year. Compare that to Portland with about 45" of rain per year or the Oregon coast with 90" per year. Some rain falls in the spring, and the land turns green (see upper photo to right). The rest of the year much of it is brown because it is so dry (see lower photos). In the summertime it is hot, with temperatures reaching 100 degrees. In the winter the temperature drops well below freezing. It is cold enough for snow, but snow seldom falls.

Oregon High Desert Climate