I think it is fair to say that the rainy season has begun. A Russian immigrant, who has become a good friend of my family, once commented to me that Oregon only has two seasons: wet and dry. If you are following the blotter from out of the area, and perhaps even considering moving here, I think it is only fair to be completely honest with you about our weather.
As you have read in several recent posts, we have a glorious fall with the trees turning colors and sunshine that is bright. It is also in the fall that the transition happens from mostly sunny days to mostly rainy days. The rain will dominate the forecast until about April. Then the transition will happen back to mostly sunny days.
Our rainfall is unique in that it seems to fall in a steady mist. While we do have days that the rain falls heavily, for the most part it is a soft and steady drizzle. I have heard it compared to the rainfall in Ireland. Because it is usually a gentle rain, you might be surprised to learn that umbrellas are used infrequently. Oregonians generally just put on a good coat and go out in it. It is really quite lovely, once you get used to it and quit seeing it as an inconvenience. It is also really good for maintaining lovely skin.
The information below gives high and low temperatures, as well as average rainfall, for Lake Oswego. The information is courtesy of www.countrystudies.us. Temperatures are listed in Fahrenheit.
Lake Oswego Weather
US Geography / US Weather / Oregon Weather / Lake Oswego
January:
Average High 46, Average Low 32, Mean 38, Average Precipitation 6.0 inches
February:
Average High 51, Average Low 34, Mean 44, Average Precipitation 4.6 inches
March:
Average High 55, Average Low 36, Mean 46, Average Precipitation 4.1 inches
April:
Average High 58, Average Low 38, Mean 50, Average Precipitation 2.8 inches
May:
Average High 66, Average Low 44, Mean 55, Average Precipitation 2.3 inches
June:
Average High 74, Average Low 48, Mean 62, Average Precipitation 1.7 inches
July:
Average High 78, Average Low 52, Mean 66, Average Precipitation 0.7 inches
August:
Average High 80, Average Low 52, Mean 66, Average Precipitation 1.0 inches
September:
Average High 74, Average Low 48, Mean 62, Average Precipitation 1.8 inches
October:
Average High 64, Average Low 41, Mean 54, Average Precipitation 3.3 inches
November:
Average High 52, Average Low 37, Mean 45, Average Precipitation 6.3 inches
December:
Average High 46, Average Low 34, Mean 40, Average Precipitation 6.9 inches
So we get very little rainfall in the summer and quite a lot of rainfall in the winter. However, in my experience, there are always surprises. The summer after Mt. St. Helens erupted never happened. It was cold and gray with very little sunshine. And it also seems to me that February tends to have many sunny days. Perhaps that is because after November, December, and January, the decreasing rain is so noticeable. I will also tell you that when the sunny weather starts again in the spring, people really make the most of it. On that first nice day everyone spends the day outside: walking, gardening, going to the coast, and just generally taking advantage of the nice conditions.
I have learned to love the rain. The sound of it makes me sleep better at night and I credit it with giving us our lush landscaping. When I visit other states that don’t get this kind of rainfall, I can’t help but feel like they just don’t have the beauty that Oregon does. I’m a fifth generation Oregonian. I guess it is just in my blood.