Climate in Gilliam County

The Oregon Climate Service (OCS) is predicting warmer than normal fall and winter temperatures for Northeastern Oregon.  This region of the state is also expected to have slightly-above normal rainfall for the October-December time period, and above normal precipitation for the January-March winter months.  Early fall conditions are expected to be dry well into October, before winter storms begin to track into the region in early November. 

According to OCS, the analog year that most closely matches the present climatic (oceanic and atmospheric) conditions leading into the fall and winter months is 1995-96.  According to Condon and Arlington station records, that year included a drier than normal October, followed by wetter than normal conditions for the remaining fall and winter months, and extending through the month of June.  Growing season rainfall in 1995-96 was over 4 inches greater than normal for both the Condon and Arlington areas. 

The 1995/96 analog year also included a significant number of extreme weather events, including flooding, ice and wind storms.

The OCS forecast provides an optimistic outlook that there will be an improvement in rainfall patterns as we move into the fall and winter months.  This contrasts sharply with current conditions, with precipitation being below normal for the past four months. 

Currently, most fall grains are being  planted into dust because of depleted seed zone moisture.  Subsoil moisture deficiency in the north part of the county could delay seeding of some fields until spring.

National Weather Service in Pendleton - Forecast for Condon, Oregon

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