Climate
Average precipitation, limited by the rain shadow effects of the Cascade Range and the Ochoco Mountains, varies from 9 to 16 inches (230 to 410 mm) a year. In winter, much of the precipitation arrives as snow.
Weather data for the city of Mitchell, near the Painted Hills Unit, show that July and August are the warmest months, with an average high of 86 °F (30 °C) and an average low of 52 °F (11 °C). January is the coldest month, when highs average 42 °F (6 °C) and lows average 24 °F (−4 °C). The highest recorded temperature in Mitchell was 107 °F (42 °C) in 1972, and the lowest was −27 °F (−33 °C) in 1983. May is generally the wettest month, when precipitation averages 1.65 inches (42 mm).
| Climate data for Mitchell, Oregon | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average high °F (°C) | 42 (6) |
47 (8) |
54 (12) |
60 (16) |
69 (21) |
77 (25) |
86 (30) |
86 (30) |
77 (25) |
65 (18) |
49 (9) |
42 (6) |
62.8 (17.1) |
| Average low °F (°C) | 24 (−4) |
27 (−3) |
31 (−1) |
34 (1) |
40 (4) |
47 (8) |
52 (11) |
52 (11) |
44 (7) |
36 (2) |
30 (−1) |
25 (−4) |
36.8 (2.7) |
| Precipitation inches (mm) | 0.87 (22.1) |
0.62 (15.7) |
1.00 (25.4) |
1.22 (31) |
1.65 (41.9) |
1.13 (28.7) |
0.61 (15.5) |
0.65 (16.5) |
0.67 (17) |
0.80 (20.3) |
1.12 (28.4) |
0.99 (25.1) |
11.33 (287.8) |
| Source: The Weather Channel | |||||||||||||
Read more about this topic: John Day Fossil Beds National Monument
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—Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826)