Oregon’s 2024 weather data reveals a continuation of warm years, with significant rainfall and record heat impacting the state.
Salem: Last year was a scorcher for Oregon, marking its sixth-warmest year since 1894, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The average temperature hit 49.1 degrees, keeping up with a trend of warmer years that’s happening globally.
Despite the heat, it was a wet year too, with the state getting about 35.46 inches of rain, which is 110% above normal. That made it the 26th-wettest year on record.
State climatologist Larry O’Neill noted that the year wrapped up warm and wet, similar to what we’ve seen in recent years. Out of the 20 hottest years recorded in Oregon, 11 have been since 2000, with the last five years all making the top 20 list.
Oregon’s heat was driven by a super hot summer, especially in July, and warmer nights overall. Eugene and Salem tied for the most consecutive days over 100 degrees, hitting five days in a row. It was a hot month across the board.
People will likely remember that long heat wave in July, where temps hovered near 100 degrees for about a week. Unlike the extreme heat dome of 2021, this year didn’t have one crazy hot day, but there were plenty of warm ones.
Interestingly, nighttime lows were also quite warm. O’Neill pointed out that most folks don’t notice the difference between 55 and 59 degrees at 5 a.m., but it was definitely on the warmer side for much of the year.
Locally, Portland had its second-hottest year on record at 56.8 degrees, while Salem and Eugene also saw their own high rankings.
As for rainfall, 2024 was quite wet, with atmospheric rivers bringing in a lot of precipitation, especially in December. O’Neill mentioned that the Pacific Ocean was in a phase that usually leads to heavier rain, plus a weak La Niña contributed to the wetter conditions.
Some areas that have been dry in the past, like Medford and Pendleton, saw significant rainfall, with Medford getting nearly 23 inches and Pendleton over 14 inches.
However, 2024 also saw the most acres burned in Oregon’s history, with nearly 2 million acres scorched, mainly in eastern Oregon. O’Neill explained that the hot, dry conditions in early summer evaporate the moisture from wet winters, making wildfires more likely.
Climate change is making springs and summers hotter, which affects how much moisture sticks around. This has a big impact on wildfire risks in the state.
For a full breakdown of weather stats across Oregon in 2024, O’Neill compiled a table using data from weather stations. It’s a lot to take in, but it shows just how extreme the weather has been.
Zach Urness, an outdoor reporter in Oregon for 16 years, can be reached at zurness@StatesmanJournal.com or (503) 399-6801. You can also find him on X at @ZachsORoutdoors.
This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Oregon records sixth hottest year on record in 2024.
