Climate of Eugene, Oregon

"Eugene is located at the upper or southern end of the fertile Willamette River Valley. Mahlon Sweet Field, location of the weather observation equipment, is nine miles northwest of the city center. The Cascade Mountains to the east and the Coast Range to the west bound the valley. Low hills lie to the south of the city, but the valley floor broadens rapidly to the north. The rolling, wooded Coast Range begins about five miles west of the airport and rise to elevations of 1 ,500 to 2,500 feet. The Coast Range is midway between Eugene and the Pacific Ocean, approximately 50 miles to the west. About ten miles east, the Coburg Hills rise to an elevation of 2,500 feet. The Cascade Range, which reaches elevations of over 10,000 feet, is about 75 miles east of Eugene. Small valleys extend into the hills in all directions and hardsurfaced highways, through passes in the Cascades, provide easy access to winter sports areas. Abundant precipitation and moderate temperatures result in rapid growth of timber, making lumbering a major industry. Much of the virgin timber has been harvested, but new growth grows quickly so there is very little bare ground in the area"--Page 1. Clinton C.D. Rockey. Includes bibliographical references. 1997 NWS (National Weather Service) WR (Western Region) Library Public Domain 1931