| Klamath Falls lies in the rain shadow of the Southern Oregon Cascade Mountains. At approximately 4,100 feet elevation, 42 degrees N latitude, and 122 degrees W longitude, the region enjoys a semi-arid, high desert climate. A National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) official weather station was maintained at Kingsley Field, one-half mile east of the Klamath Experiment Station, from 1949 until August of 1995. Limited weather observation capability has been available at the Klamath Experiment Station for over 20 years. In 1996, NOAA closed the Kingsley Field station and designated the KES station as the offical NOAA station for Klamath Falls. In the spring of 1999, an AgriMet station was installed at KES. Data is updated daily and is available on our web site ( KES AgriMet Web Page ). Observations at these sites are quite representative of the main agricultural portion of the Klamath Basin, which ranges from about 4,100 to 4,300 feet elevation. |
| Air and soil temperature, precipitation, and other data are summarized for 1998 and long term averages in our 1998 Annual Report. The area experiences moderate air temperatures which seldom exceed 90 degrees F for highs or 0 degrees F for lows. Frosts can and do occur during any month. Minimum average air temperatures above freezing are limited to May through September. However, frosts are frequent in May and September, and occured in each month as recently as 1996. |
| The difference between daily high and low air temperatures is often over 40 degrees F, and occassionally over 50 degrees F in the summer. Total annual precipitation averages approximately 13 inches, but is quite variable from year to year. The period from 1995 through 1999 has experienced the lightest precipitation since records began in the late 1880's. Total annual precipitation recorded at KES in the period was 19.06, 19.54, 14.29, and 19.51 inches for 1995 through 1998. During summer, weekly rainfall averages 0.1 inches. In winter the weekly average is about 0.3 inches. Long term average annual snowfall is about 40 inches. The record of 97 inches occured in 1992-1993. |
| The area experiences a high proportion of sunny days. Relative humidity is low during summer months, often falling below 30%. Topographical features in the region favor the development of temperature inversions that often last for several days. An air pollution index above recognized standards was fairly common until remediated in recent years by burning restrictions, oxygenated fuels in the winter, and conversion of home heating to sources other than wood stoves. Klamath Falls has not exceeded air quality standards in over six years. |
