What Winters Are Like In Bend Oregon

What are winters like in Bend Oregon? I get asked that question by prospective clients from outside the area who are thinking about moving here.

To answer that question, let me first start by saying that our winters here in Bend and Central Oregon are different then when I was a kid growing up. Back then, our winters were filled with snow and lots of sun, sun and more sun.

Over the past 10 years, our winters have grown much milder and we don’t get the same amount of snow that we used to. Decades ago, it was not uncommon to get two feet of snow. I remember as a kid having a hard time walking to school because of how deep the snow was. (Yes I can tell kids how hard I had it as a kid walking through massive snow drifts, uphill, both ways) Nowadays, if we get a foot, that is really something.

Typically, we’ll see a few inches of snow come down that lasts for a day or two and then is melted by the warmer weather. We'll usually get a couple of good snowfalls that measture between 1 and 2 feet a couple times during a winter.

Our temperatures can fluctuate quite a bit within the very same day. Normally our temperatures range between 35 and 50 during the winters. At night it will dip below freezing and sometimes can even get as low as zero or a few degrees below. That usually happens a couple times each winter.

We still get sunshine during the winter but not quite as much as we used to. Let me tell you that there is nothing like the brilliance of the Central Oregon Sun shining on a vast plain of snowfall. You'll definately use your sunglasses in both summer and winter when you live in Bend Oregon.

This month (January) we actually had a few Spring like days that got up into the 60’s. It was fantastic when you consider that January usually has our coldest weather. You'll swear that Spring has come early and then after a few days of wonderful weather, Winter will let its presence be known again.

People coming from warmer climates usually get a bit concerned about living in an area that has a true ‘Winter’ with snow and ice. However, there is something to be said for being able to experience all seasons. Winter here is also a great time to plan your vacations to warmer climates which makes you really, truly appreciate those Palm trees and warm gentle breezes of the tropics.

Most of Winter the roads are clear. When the snowfall happens, roads are cleared and sanded pretty quickly. In Central Oregon we don't use salt on our roads. Because of the huge amount of cinder rock at our disposal, it is crushed and used on the roads for traction. It works quite well and best of all no damage is done to your car. Studded tires are the norm here or at the very least an all season tire is a must. A front wheel or better yet an all wheel drive car is best for driving in snow. If you have studded tires than rear wheel drive is perfectly fine.

One other bonus when you live in Bend and Central Oregon is that you get to hang up all your yard work for 6 to 8 months each year. When I hear reports of all the crazy, weird weather happening all around the nation, I’m grateful that Bend seems to keep things pretty normal in the way of weather patterns.

If you ever have questions about what it's like to live in Bend and Central Oregon, or would like more information on Bend Oregon Real Estate, I’m always available to answer your questions.