Whats the weather like in Salem Oregon? (Portland, Eugene: house, living in) - (OR) - City-Data Forum

brit_nit · 07-06-2009, 11:34 PM

Hi, I am looking at moving to oregon and have been researching salem lately. I was just wondering what the weather is like (rain all the time?) and anything else you think I should know! Thanks!

pw72 · 07-06-2009, 11:42 PM

The weather in Salem is very similar to Portland, with a couple of exceptions. Ice storms tend to miss Salem as it is away from the Gorge, a major channel of weather that produces these conditions.

Summer can be slightly hotter, but not significant. Winters are almost exactly the same, with the exception of the ice storms (above). Rainfall is also quite similar. The area from Eugene north to Vancouver, WA has a very similar quality, the differences are slight.

Silverfall · 07-07-2009, 09:04 AM

No it doesn't rain all of the time. I have lived in Portland and Salem. Portland because of the gorge, I guess, is more overcast and then the clouds "burn off" as the day goes on. We don't have that effect here quite as much.

It is rainy typically from November to January. We seem to get a nice weather break in February for a week or so and then it drizzles until April/Mayish. You need to understand that rain here is mostly "spitting" rain. It also rains on and off. So if it is raining in the morning you can still get sun breaks in the afternoon.

Our ice storms and snow aren't as bad as Portland's when they do occur. It snows (that sticks) about every three years, and we do get ice every year. I'd say we get an ice storm every other year or so.

Everything is green in the winter, so I think that offsets the rain personally.

Oregonbeachlover · 07-07-2009, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silverfall

No it doesn't rain all of the time. I have lived in Portland and Salem. Portland because of the gorge, I guess, is more overcast and then the clouds "burn off" as the day goes on. We don't have that effect here quite as much.

It is rainy typically from November to January. We seem to get a nice weather break in February for a week or so and then it drizzles until April/Mayish. You need to understand that rain here is mostly "spitting" rain. It also rains on and off. So if it is raining in the morning you can still get sun breaks in the afternoon.

Our ice storms and snow aren't as bad as Portland's when they do occur. It snows (that sticks) about every three years, and we do get ice every year. I'd say we get an ice storm every other year or so.

Everything is green in the winter, so I think that offsets the rain personally.

I think Silverfall's assessment is accurate. I would add that it does make a difference in which way your home faces. Do not live on the north side of a hill. Our home in Salem was great in that we got lots of sun streaming in the windows in the winter, so consider that when looking for a place to live.

jemc2000 · 07-10-2009, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silverfall

Our ice storms and snow aren't as bad as Portland's when they do occur. It snows (that sticks) about every three years, and we do get ice every year.

So it doesn't snow often in the valley?

Silverfall · 07-10-2009, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jemc2000

So it doesn't snow often in the valley?

We get wet snow pretty much every year, but it melts as soon as it hits the ground. Snow that sticks...about every three years or so. My son is 9 and has been able to play outside of our house in the snow three times in his life.

mamh · 07-10-2009, 02:58 PM

We have wonderfull summer evening to be outside and do whatever gets in your way to do..A friend and I went to the Volcano's game thursday eve and only need light sweaters, yesterday eve we were sitting on our front porch till after 8 ..these evening is something we rarely had living in northern california..
I always look forward to the change of seasons too.

gorilazgomossad · 07-10-2009, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oregonbeachlover

I think Silverfall's assessment is accurate. I would add that it does make a difference in which way your home faces. Do not live on the north side of a hill. Our home in Salem was great in that we got lots of sun streaming in the windows in the winter, so consider that when looking for a place to live.

Brilliant advice, I never would even have considered that.
Thanks.

Notsurewhere · 06-10-2016, 02:57 PM

Hi, I was thinking of moving to Salem Oregon and I was wondering how hot it gets. I'm in Nevada now and can't take the heat. It a dry heat.

txpatience · 06-18-2016, 02:32 PM

I am definitely not an expert on Oregon, but I spent the summer of 2001 in Salem and I don't recall that it rained much at all. From 2001 until 2005 I was a full time RVer and spent summers in Oregon and Washington, and I personally loved every minute. As Silverfall noted it's more of a spitting rain. I was also impressed that it rarely thundered, (I have a problem with loud noises.) I found it interesting that even when it is an actual rain the natives don't use an umbrella. The only time I was ever in the NW during the winter was in the 70's and 80's while driving a truck cross country. Sometimes it was raining, sometimes not. Got stranded in Vancouver, WA because I-84 was closed at the Dalles because of snow. There was quite a bit of snow on the ground in Vancouver, but it was gone in two days because it started raining. Definitely not blizzard conditions like in the Midwest.