Climate of the Rogue Valley:

      Southern Oregon's climate is pleasant and mild and marked by four distinct seasons. Summer is hot and dry. In the fall temperatures begin to cool. Late October marks the beginning of the rainy season. Dryer, warmer weather arrives in March.

      The Rogue Valley's main tributaries are Bear Creek and the Rogue River. To the east of the Rogue Valley are the Cascade Mountains; to the west and north is the Coastal Range; and to the south are the Siskiyou Mountains.

      Surrounding mountain ranges help to moderate the Rogue Valley's annual rainfall, which is generally under 20 inches. This is in sharp contrast to the 37-50" normally seen in the other parts of the Pacific Northwest. Snow is common and heavy in the mountains, but light on the valley floor, where it normally melts within a few hours.

      During the winter, the daily low dips just below freezing. Highs in the summer average around 90 degrees, though there are usually several "scorchers" with temperatures in the hight 90's to low 100's. The average growing season is 170 days, from April 30 through October 17.


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