What Are the Warmest Cities in the Pacific Northwest?

In the United States, the term “Pacific Northwest” applies to the states of Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. The region stretches from chilly, dry Idaho, through lush Oregon and the Pacific Ocean coastline all the way to Washington state, including Western Washington and the San Juan Islands. It then crosses into British Columbia in Canada (which is home to some of the warmest cities in Canada).

The Pacific Northwest is dominated by several mountain ranges, including the Cascades, Coast Mountains, the Columbia Mountains, the Olympic Mountains, and the Rocky Mountains.

If you’re thinking of moving to this region but would like to experience mild winters and hot summers, this article is for you.

Top 15 Warmest Cities in the Pacific Northwest

I’m going to provide you with a list of the 15 warmest cities in the Pacific Northwest region. Because they have the highest temperatures in the area, they offer a more comfortable opportunity to enjoy the state’s natural beauty and practice outdoor activities. Some of these cities also enjoy more sunny days than the average in this otherwise wet and cloudy region.

The Pacific Northwest cities are ranked by their annual daily mean temperature. It’s calculated by averaging daytime temperatures and nighttime temperatures in all months of the year.

No cities in Idaho are in this ranking. The warmest city in Idaho, Lewiston, would have been ranked #22.

For more detailed information, check my articles on the warmest cities in Oregon, the warmest cities in Washington, and the warmest cities in Idaho.

1. Ontario, Oregon – 56.1 °F

With about 12,000 residents, Ontario is the largest city in far eastern Oregon. It features a cold desert climate that gives it dry weather with little precipitation. Consequently, while it has the highest average temperature in the Pacific Northwest region, it’s not your stereotypical green Pacific Northwest city. Nonetheless, it has the highest average annual temperature in the whole region.

Average daytime temperature in January: 39.3 °F

Average daytime temperature in July: 93.1 °F

2. Medford, Oregon – 55.95 °F

Medford has over 85,000 residents. It sits in a rain shadow between the Cascade Range and Siskiyou Mountains. Because most rain skips Medford, it’s much drier and sunnier than other parts of Oregon. The city gets much less rain than Portland—about half the amount spread over 74 days of rain a year. Its mild Mediterranean climate makes it have the best weather in the Pacific Northwest. Medford also doesn’t get much snow. It snows on average only 5 days a year.

Average daytime temperature in January: 48.2 °F

Average daytime temperature in July: 91.6 °F

3. Grants Pass, Oregon – 55.6 °F

Grants Pass is a city of about 40,000 residents located near Medford. It benefits from the same rain shadow effect that gives it high temperatures compared to other areas in the Pacific Northwest.

Average daytime temperature in January: 47.6 °F

Average daytime temperature in July: 90.5 °F

4. Kennewick, Washington – 55.2 °F

Kennewick is a city of 84,000 people located in southern Washington, on the Columbia River. Due to its position east of the Cascade Mountains, Kennewick has a semi-arid climate bordering on arid. Because of the rain shadow effect, its precipitation is more similar to that of Phoenix, Arizona, than Seattle or Portland. It’s the warmest city in Washington state.

Average daytime temperature in January: 41.7 °F

Average daytime temperature in July: 91.3 °F

5. Oregon City, Oregon – 55.15 °F

Oregon City is the first U.S. city west of the Rocky Mountains to be incorporated. Today, with 38,000 inhabitants, it’s one of the warmest cities in the Pacific Northwest.

Average daytime temperature in January: 48.5 °F

Average daytime temperature in July: 83.3 °F

6. Roseburg, Oregon – 55.15 °F

Roseburg is located west of Umpqua National Forest. It’s a city of 24,000 residents. It’s much wetter than Medford and Grants Pass, even though it’s a little over one hour drive away from Grants Pass.

Average daytime temperature in January: 49.7 °F

Average daytime temperature in July: 84.3 °F

7. Portland, Oregon – 55.05 °F

With over 650,000 residents, Portland is the warmest big city in the Pacific Northwest. Located at the northern end of the Willamette Valley, Portland is often associated with rainy weather. And that’s true: it gets on average 156 days of rainfall a year. Portland gets 2,341 sunshine hours compared to 2,520 in Medford. It has more comfortable summer than Medford, with much cooler temperatures.

Average daytime temperature in January: 47.5 °F

Average daytime temperature in July: 81.9 °F

8. West Linn, Oregon – 55 °F

West Linn is a suburb of Portland with about 27,000 residents.

Average daytime temperature in January: 49 °F

Average daytime temperature in July: 83 °F

9. Central Point, Oregon – 55 °F

Central Point is a city of 17,000 people located just a few miles northeast of Medford.

Average daytime temperature in January: 48 °F

Average daytime temperature in July: 92 °F

10. Salem, Oregon – 54.65 °F

Salem is the capital city of Oregon. With over 175,000 residents, it’s one of the biggest cities in the Pacific Northwest. At 2,464 sunshine hours a year, it’s sunnier than Portland.

Average daytime temperature in January: 48.4 °F

Average daytime temperature in July: 85.5 °F

11. Sutherlin, Oregon – 54.5 °F

Sutherlin is a small town of 8,500 people located about 14 miles north of Roseburg.

Average daytime temperature in January: 49 °F

Average daytime temperature in July: 83 °F

12. Walla Walla, Washington – 54.35 °F

Walla Walla is a city of 34,000 people located in the southern part of Washington state. It has a hot-summer Mediterranean climate and is one of the northernmost places in North America to qualify for this type of climate.

Average daytime temperature in January: 41.9 °F

Average daytime temperature in July: 90.1 °F

13. Richland, Washington – 54.1 °F

Like Kennewick located 10 miles southeast, Richland has a semi-arid climate. Along with Kennewick and Pasco, they form the Tri-Cities metropolitan area. With over 60,000 residents, Richland is the second most populous city in this area.

Average daytime temperature in January: 40.7 °F

Average daytime temperature in July: 90.5 °F

14. The Dalles, Oregon – 54.05 °F

The Dalles is located on the Columbia River, on the border with Washington. 16,000 people call it home. The city has a semi-arid climate but due to its location in the eastern Columbia Gorge it has many microclimates.

Average daytime temperature in January: 42.2 °F

Average daytime temperature in July: 87.5 °F

15. Gresham, Oregon – 54 °F

Gresham is a suburb city of Portland. With about 115,000 residents, it’s one of the biggest cities in Oregon.

Average daytime temperature in January: 46 °F

Average daytime temperature in July: 82 °F

Other States That Are Sometimes Considered a Part of the Pacific Northwest

Alaska and Montana are sometimes also considered Pacific Northwest states. Check out the warmest cities in Alaska and the warmest cities in Montana.