Crack-in-the-Ground, Oregon Weather
Trailhead • Central Oregon
Crack-in-the-Ground is a volcanic fissure more than 2 miles long and up to 70 feet deep, north of Christmas Valley in northern Lake County. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) keeps a free, year-round trailhead and a 2-mile trail along the fissure floor. The floor can be up to 20 degrees cooler than the desert above.
Plan your week
10-Day Forecast
Hour by hour
Hourly Forecast
Current Conditions
Comfort Breakdown
Crack-in-the-Ground weather today and through the year
It's 40°F at Crack-in-the-Ground right now (feels like 32°F), with 11 mph wind and a comfort score of 35. Today's forecast high at Crack-in-the-Ground is 53°F, 6°F above the mid November normal of 47°F. The best window tomorrow is 8 AM to 11 AM, at about 40°F with a 8 mph wind (comfort 48).
July is the warmest month at Crack-in-the-Ground, with an average high of 86°F. December is the coldest, with an average low of 20°F. May is the wettest month (1.3 in.), out of about 9.8 in. a year. By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and precipitation odds, the most comfortable months at Crack-in-the-Ground are September, June, and August. The best hours are usually noon to 3 PM in September, noon to 3 PM in June, and 10 AM to 1 PM in August.
Crack-in-the-Ground lies on the flat, sagebrush floor of the Christmas Valley basin, at the southwest corner of the Four Craters Lava Field and just below Green Mountain. This is the far southeastern corner of Central Oregon's high desert. It lies deep in the rain shadow of the Cascades, where storms have already dropped most of their moisture. It is one of the region's driest places. The BLM notes that the arid climate is why the fissure has barely filled in with sediment since it formed.
Forecast updated November 13, 2026 at 5:02 PM PST. Climate figures come from NOAA 1991-2020 normals. Hourly patterns come from NOAA's HRRR hourly analysis from May 2016 to May 2026.
What to expect at Crack-in-the-Ground in the next few days
No active National Weather Service alerts for this location.
Best time to go
The best window tomorrow is 8 AM to 11 AM, at about 40°F with a 8 mph wind (comfort 48).
Hiking conditions
No daylight hour in the next week is forecast to be dry, 45 to 80°F, and under 18 mph wind at Crack-in-the-Ground.
Best day this week
Of the next 7 days, Saturday looks best for Crack-in-the-Ground, with a 45°F high and midday comfort near 43. Thursday looks weakest (28).
This weekend
This weekend: Saturday 45°F/31°F with a 2% chance of rain, Sunday 46°F/32°F with a 40% chance of rain.
Rain
Next good chance of rain: today (74%, about 0.07 in.).
Snow
Snow is in the forecast: about 0.9 in. over the next week, starting Thursday.
Freezing nights
7 of the next 7 nights are forecast to reach freezing or colder.
Live weather map
Weather around Crack-in-the-Ground right now
Light rain and 40° at Crack-in-the-Ground right now.
About the live weather map for Crack-in-the-Ground
The map centers on Crack-in-the-Ground and stacks wildfire smoke, satellite clouds, and precipitation radar on one view. Clouds come from the GOES-West satellite and rain from NOAA radar, and both show current conditions.
Dots mark nearby places with their current temperature, colored by comfort score. Use the layer buttons to turn any layer off, or open the full map for every destination in the region.
Nearby Temperature Comparison
Conditions at nearby Central Oregon destinations
Tip: Central Oregon temperatures can change by 20 to 30°F over a short distance because of microclimates.
Crack-in-the-Ground vs nearby places
Typical summer conditions compared with Crack-in-the-Ground, from the same NOAA HRRR hourly record. The list shows the closest places, then nearby places whose climate differs the most.
| Place | Distance | Summer afternoons | Morning fog | Afternoon wind | Compared with Crack-in-the-Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green Mountain Campground | 4.4 mi | -2°F | 0% | 10 mph | a very similar climate |
| Derrick Cave | 16 mi | -3°F | 0% | 10 mph | about 46% more precipitation a year |
| Fort Rock State Natural Area | 19.8 mi | same | 1% | 10 mph | a very similar climate |
Places with a climate like Crack-in-the-Ground's
- La Pine (48 mi away): nearly the same temperatures every month
- Three Rivers South (52 mi away): nearly the same temperatures every month
- La Pine State Park (52 mi away): nearly the same temperatures every month
Climate Dashboard
Current conditions vs. NOAA normals and recent destination baseline
What the Crack-in-the-Ground climate comparisons mean
These cards compare recent conditions at Crack-in-the-Ground with the available local baseline. Temperature and year-to-date rainfall use long-term normals when available. Fog, sunshine, wind, and comfort use the matching recent or modeled baseline identified on each card.
Positive and negative differences describe how Crack-in-the-Ground departs from its own usual pattern. They should not be read as a direct comparison with another city or as a forecast beyond the period shown.
Crack-in-the-Ground weather by month
July is the warmest month at Crack-in-the-Ground, with an average high of 86°F. December is the coldest, with an average low of 20°F. May is the wettest month (1.3 in.), out of about 9.8 in. a year. July has the clearest middays, with clouds covering about 2% of the sky from 11 AM to 3 PM.
By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and precipitation odds, the most comfortable months at Crack-in-the-Ground are September, June, and August. The best hours are usually noon to 3 PM in September, noon to 3 PM in June, and 10 AM to 1 PM in August.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Precip | Wet days | Morning fog | Midday cloud | Afternoon wind | Daylight | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 41°F | 21°F | 0.9 in | 6 | 9% | 14% | 9 mph | 9.3 h | 48 |
| Feb | 44°F | 23°F | 0.8 in | 5 | 6% | 17% | 12 mph | 10.4 h | 44 |
| Mar | 50°F | 26°F | 1.0 in | 6 | 4% | 21% | 13 mph | 11.8 h | 43 |
| Apr | 57°F | 29°F | 0.8 in | 5 | 2% | 18% | 13 mph | 13.4 h | 51 |
| May | 66°F | 35°F | 1.3 in | 7 | 1% | 14% | 11 mph | 14.7 h | 64 |
| Jun | 75°F | 40°F | 0.7 in | 5 | 1% | 7% | 11 mph | 15.4 h | 79 |
| Jul | 86°F | 46°F | 0.4 in | 4 | 0% | 2% | 10 mph | 15.1 h | 74 |
| Aug | 84°F | 45°F | 0.4 in | 4 | 1% | 2% | 9 mph | 13.9 h | 77 |
| Sep | 76°F | 37°F | 0.4 in | 4 | 2% | 4% | 9 mph | 12.4 h | 80 |
| Oct | 62°F | 30°F | 0.9 in | 6 | 3% | 9% | 10 mph | 10.9 h | 65 |
| Nov | 47°F | 24°F | 0.9 in | 5 | 6% | 13% | 10 mph | 9.6 h | 49 |
| Dec | 39°F | 20°F | 1.2 in | 7 | 9% | 14% | 9 mph | 9.0 h | 43 |
Morning fog is the share of hours from 6 to 10 AM with fog or low cloud. Midday cloud is the average from 11 AM to 3 PM, and afternoon wind is the average from 1 to 5 PM. The highlighted rows are the most comfortable months.
What makes Crack-in-the-Ground's weather different
Among the 13 Central Oregon trailheads we track, Crack-in-the-Ground has the 2nd-warmest summer afternoons.
- #2of 13
warmest summer afternoonsamong Central Oregon trailheads
When the wind picks up
noonwhen afternoon wind builds, year-round
Year-round, wind at Crack-in-the-Ground typically builds after noon. In March it peaks around 4 PM, averaging 14 mph with 41% of those hours windy, while mornings average 7 mph.
Hot and freezing hours
4 habove 85°F on a typical July afternoon
In July, the average temperature stays at or above 85°F for 4 hours a day. In December, the average stays at or below freezing for 18 hours of the night and morning.
Daylight
9–15.4 hof daylight, Dec to Jun
Days at Crack-in-the-Ground range from about 9 hours in December to 15.4 hours in June. In mid-June the sun sets around 8:45 PM, and in mid-December around 4:33 PM.
Wildfire smoke
20 daysof smoky air per fire season (about AQI 75+)
NOAA's HRRR-Smoke model gives the area around Crack-in-the-Ground an average of 20 smoky days a fire season from 2021 to 2025. On each of those days, smoke held the air quality index at about 75 or higher for at least three hours. About 26 more days a season had lighter smoke.
Snow
16 inof snow per winter (HRRR estimate)
NOAA's HRRR model puts Crack-in-the-Ground at about 16 inches of snow a winter, falling on about 15 days. That is the average of the 2023-24, 2024-25 and 2025-26 winters.
Seasons at Crack-in-the-Ground
- Warm seasonJun 24 – Sep 24 · highs 75°F+
The warm season lasts about 3.1 months, from Jun 24 to Sep 24, when the average high is 75°F or warmer. Highs peak around Jul 8 at about 86°F.
- Hot afternoonsJul 7 – Aug 1 · highs 85°F+
Average highs reach 85°F or more from Jul 7 to Aug 1.
- Cool seasonNov 26 – Feb 25 · highs 46°F or lower
The cool season runs from Nov 26 to Feb 25, when the average high is 46°F or lower. The coldest nights come around Dec 8, with an average low near 20°F.
- Freezing nightsOct 4 – Apr 30 · lows 32°F or colder
Average lows at Crack-in-the-Ground are at or below freezing from Oct 4 to Apr 30.
The dark line marks today. Season dates come from the smoothed daily NOAA 1991-2020 normals. Counting from Oct. 1, a typical year has its first inch of precipitation by Nov 3 and half of its annual total by Mar 7.
Days per year and extremes (Nov 1, 2024 to Oct 31, 2026)
This record runs from Nov 1, 2024 to Oct 31, 2026. Over this record, Crack-in-the-Ground averaged 15 days a year at 90°F or hotter and 163 nights a year at or below freezing. It averaged 2 days a year with at least half an inch of precipitation and 23 afternoons with wind of 20 mph or more at 2 PM. About 17 mornings a year had 3 or more hours of fog or low cloud.
In the same record, the hottest day was Aug 7, 2026 (96°F) and the coldest night was Feb 12, 2025 (-11°F). The wettest day was Mar 16, 2025 (1.08 in.), and the strongest 2 PM gust was 63 mph on Dec 18, 2025.
- 15days at 90°F or hotter
- 163nights at or below freezing
- 2days with ½ in. of precipitation or more
- 23afternoons with 20+ mph wind
- 17mornings with 3+ hours of fog or low cloud
- Hottest day96°FAug 7, 2026
- Coldest night-11°FFeb 12, 2025
- Wettest day1.08 inMar 16, 2025
- Strongest 2 PM gust63 mphDec 18, 2025
What shapes Crack-in-the-Ground's weather
The fissure at Crack-in-the-Ground makes its own small-scale climate. Its narrow, shaded floor sits well below the surface, out of the sun and much of the wind. The BLM says it can be up to 20 degrees cooler than the ground above. On a hot summer afternoon, that makes the walk along the bottom far more comfortable than the open desert around it. In winter, the same shade and trapped cold air keep the floor colder than the surface. Snow or ice can linger in the crack after it melts above.
Above ground, there is no shelter. Wind blows across the open valley in every season, building after midday and peaking in mid-afternoon. Spring is the windiest time of year. Summer afternoons on the surface are hot and glaring.
Clear skies and dry air bring large day-to-night swings. The valley floor collects cold air on still nights, and frost is likely from early October to the end of April. Late-summer thunderstorms and wildfire smoke are the other hazards, and rain can make the dirt access roads impassable.
Tips for visiting Crack-in-the-Ground
Walk the bottom on hot days
The 2-mile trail runs along the shaded fissure floor, which stays much cooler than the desert above on summer afternoons. The trail has sand and rock footing and about 70 feet of elevation change.
Bring a four-wheel-drive vehicle
The dirt access roads are rugged and may be impassable at times. The nearest services are in Christmas Valley.
Directions from Christmas Valley
Drive east about a mile on Christmas Valley Highway and turn north on Crack-in-the-Ground Road for about 7 miles. Then turn left on Lava Craters Road and follow the signs.
Bring your own water
There is a restroom at the trailhead but no drinking water, and no fee.
Foot travel only
Motor vehicles, mountain bikes and horses are not allowed on the trail.
Camp at Green Mountain
The BLM's six-site Green Mountain Campground, a few miles north, is the nearest place to camp. It is primitive, so pack out your trash.
Crack-in-the-Ground through the seasons
- Spring (March–May)
- Spring is the windiest season above ground, and mornings are still cold. The fissure floor can hold snow or ice early in spring, and wet weather can turn the dirt roads to mud.
- Summer (June–August)
- Summer afternoons are hot and glaring on the surface, but the shaded floor of the crack stays much cooler. Watch for thunderstorms and wildfire smoke.
- Fall (September–November)
- Fall brings mild, calmer days and frosty nights. September is the most comfortable month for both the drive and the walk.
- Winter (December–February)
- The site stays open in winter, but expect cold, icy footing in the crack and roads that may be impassable after storms.
Activities and the weather that matters
- Hiking the fissure: The moderate 2-mile walk along the floor is the coolest outing nearby in summer heat. It turns slippery in winter.
- Geology: The crack opened as the ground pulled apart, where Green Mountain lava flows draped over a buried fault. Mornings, before the wind builds, are best for exploring the side cracks.
- Photography: Midday sun reaches the floor best. The rim and lava field look best in low morning or evening light.
Official sources and current conditions
Numbers on this page come from NOAA data. The text draws on the official sources linked above.
Historical Climate Data
Long-term weather patterns and climate data
Data sources: Recent temperature, precipitation, fog, cloud, wind, humidity, and sunshine come from NOAA HRRR, and long-term baselines from NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
Climate Overview
Based on NOAA 30-year temperature/rain normals (1991-2020) with recent fog/sun baseline
🌟 Best Months to Visit
⚠️ Challenging Months
Monthly Breakdown
| Month | Comfort | High/Low | ☀️ Sun | 🌫️ Fog | 💧 Rain | Perfect |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| November 2024 | 57 | 43.2° / 26.6° | 5.2h | 1d | 0.83" | 4 |
| December 2024 | 52 | 40° / 25.2° | 4.8h | 3d | 2.23" | 0 |
| January 2025 | 58 | 40° / 19.6° | 5.9h | 3d | 0.53" | 1 |
| February 2025 | 56 | 38° / 19.2° | 6h | 4d | 2.09" | 3 |
| March 2025 | 67 | 47.9° / 28.7° | 7h | 0d | 1.33" | 9 |
| April 2025 | 88 | 60.2° / 31.3° | 10.4h | 0d | 0.1" | 26 |
| May 2025 | 90 | 68.4° / 38.7° | 11.6h | 0d | 0.06" | 29 |
| June 2025 | 93 | 78.3° / 46.7° | 12.6h | 0d | 0.37" | 28 |
| July 2025 | 91 | 85.5° / 53.7° | 12.5h | 0d | 0.53" | 31 |
| August 2025 | 92 | 83.1° / 52.8° | 11h | 0d | 0.13" | 30 |
| September 2025 | 92 | 76.7° / 45.8° | 9.7h | 1d | 0.13" | 28 |
| October 2025 | 81 | 58.4° / 31.7° | 7.5h | 0d | 0.22" | 21 |
| November 2025 | 74 | 52.1° / 29.7° | 6.5h | 1d | 0.17" | 14 |
| December 2025 | 59 | 46.3° / 29° | 5.3h | 3d | 1.89" | 3 |
| January 2026 | 66 | 44.4° / 22.1° | 6.5h | 1d | 0.13" | 4 |
| February 2026 | 68 | 47.5° / 26.2° | 7h | 3d | 1.01" | 9 |
| March 2026 | 81 | 58.5° / 32° | 8.7h | 0d | 0.32" | 23 |
| April 2026 | 83 | 58.4° / 31.1° | 9.6h | 0d | 0.3" | 20 |
| May 2026 | 89 | 70.2° / 39.6° | 11.9h | 0d | 0.58" | 28 |
| June 2026 | 90 | 76° / 45.7° | 12.1h | 0d | 0.15" | 29 |
| July 2026 | 87 | 86.8° / 53.6° | 12.2h | 0d | 0.05" | 31 |
| August 2026 | 89 | 85.9° / 51.1° | 11.7h | 0d | 0" | 31 |
| September 2026 | 91 | 69.1° / 40.9° | 9.6h | 0d | 0.69" | 26 |
| October 2026 | 84 | 64° / 32.2° | 8.2h | 2d | 0.05" | 23 |
Climate Trends
Average Temperature by Month
About the Crack-in-the-Ground climate charts
The temperature chart compares average monthly highs and lows at Crack-in-the-Ground, showing both the seasonal cycle and the typical day-to-night range. The comfort chart summarizes how often the combined weather pattern is favorable rather than judging temperature alone.
Precipitation shows the total recorded or modeled rainfall for each month at Crack-in-the-Ground. Sunshine compares average bright-sky hours with the daylight available, while fog shows the average number of morning fog or low-cloud hours per day. Switch between the chart tabs to compare the same months across each measure.
Snow Depth by Season
0″ on the ground as of Nov 13, compared with an average of 0.4″ on that date.
Now
0″
Typical peak
6″
Deepest
19″
2016–17
About this chart and each season's peak
Each gray line is one winter at Crack-in-the-Ground (4,475 ft), from August through July. The dashed line is the average for each date, and the blue line is this season. Depths come from NOAA's daily SNODAS snow analysis, adjusted for the elevation of this spot, and are updated through Nov 13, 2026.
| Season | Peak depth | Peak date | Days with 1″+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025–26 | 2.3″ | Feb 20 | 5 |
| 2024–25 | 14″ | Feb 8 | 30 |
| 2023–24 | 7.5″ | Jan 14 | 16 |
| 2022–23 | 4.3″ | Jan 3 | 48 |
| 2021–22 | 5.1″ | Jan 5 | 23 |
| 2020–21 | 3.2″ | Dec 15 | 19 |
| 2019–20 | 7.5″ | Jan 17 | 32 |
| 2018–19 | 6.5″ | Feb 27 | 60 |
| 2017–18 | 5.3″ | Dec 3 | 59 |
| 2016–17 | 19″ | Jan 12 | 73 |
| 2015–16 | 15″ | Dec 28 | 60 |
| 2014–15 | 5.1″ | Dec 16 | 19 |
| 2013–14 | 4.6″ | Oct 29 | 18 |
| 2012–13 | 12″ | Jan 7 | 83 |
| 2011–12 | 2.5″ | Mar 2 | 16 |
| 2010–11 | 15″ | Dec 6 | 64 |
| 2009–10 | 6.1″ | Feb 4 | 28 |
| 2008–09 | 7.5″ | Feb 16 | 28 |
| 2007–08 | 6.6″ | Feb 4 | 36 |
| 2006–07 | 2.7″ | Feb 23 | 8 |
| 2005–06 | 5.5″ | Dec 19 | 37 |
| 2004–05 | 3.1″ | Feb 23 | 35 |
| 2003–04 | 6″ | Jan 8 | 13 |
Hourly Temperature, Wind, and Cloud Cover Patterns
Average local hour by month from 2016-05-01 to 2026-05-01
- Temperature: At Crack-in-the-Ground, the warmest typical hour is 4 PM in July (87°F). The coldest is 7 AM in December (23°F).
- Wind: Year-round, wind at Crack-in-the-Ground typically builds after noon. In March it peaks around 4 PM, averaging 14 mph with 41% of those hours windy, while mornings average 7 mph.
- Cloud Cover: July middays are the clearest at Crack-in-the-Ground (2% average cloud cover), and March middays are the cloudiest (21%).
How to read the hourly heatmaps for Crack-in-the-Ground
This heatmap shows how average temperature at Crack-in-the-Ground changes by hour and month. Read left to right for the seasons and top to bottom for the time of day. Warmer colors mark the usual afternoon peaks, and cooler colors show overnight and winter lows.
This heatmap shows the typical hourly wind pattern at Crack-in-the-Ground through the year. It makes recurring afternoon wind, calmer overnight periods, and seasonal changes easier to compare than a single daily wind value.
This heatmap shows average cloud cover at Crack-in-the-Ground for every month and hour. Use it to see whether cloudiness is mainly an overnight and morning pattern or commonly persists during the part of the day you plan to visit.
Each cell combines one month with one local hour. Hover over or focus on a cell for its value and sample coverage. The red marker shows the current month and hour.
How recent months compared at Crack-in-the-Ground
- October 2026 recap: October 2026 at Crack-in-the-Ground averaged a high of 64°F, 6°F warmer than October 2025 (58°F).
Location Details
Crack-in-the-Ground weather questions
Everything you need to know about weather and visiting Crack-in-the-Ground
What is the weather like at Crack-in-the-Ground today?
It's 40°F at Crack-in-the-Ground right now, with a comfort score of 35 (poor). Today's forecast high at Crack-in-the-Ground is 53°F, 6°F above the mid November normal of 47°F. The best window tomorrow is 8 AM to 11 AM, at about 40°F with a 8 mph wind (comfort 48).
What is the best month to visit Crack-in-the-Ground?
By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and precipitation odds, the most comfortable months at Crack-in-the-Ground are September, June, and August. The best hours are usually noon to 3 PM in September, noon to 3 PM in June, and 10 AM to 1 PM in August. The warm season lasts about 3.1 months, from Jun 24 to Sep 24, when the average high is 75°F or warmer. Highs peak around Jul 8 at about 86°F.
What are the warmest and coldest months at Crack-in-the-Ground?
July is the warmest month at Crack-in-the-Ground, with an average high of 86°F. December is the coldest, with an average low of 20°F. Average lows at Crack-in-the-Ground are at or below freezing from Oct 4 to Apr 30.
When is it windiest at Crack-in-the-Ground?
Year-round, wind at Crack-in-the-Ground typically builds after noon. In March it peaks around 4 PM, averaging 14 mph with 41% of those hours windy, while mornings average 7 mph.
Does it snow at Crack-in-the-Ground?
Yes, in most winters. NOAA's HRRR model puts Crack-in-the-Ground at about 16 inches of snow a winter, falling on about 15 days. That is the average of the 2023-24, 2024-25 and 2025-26 winters.
How much rain and snow does Crack-in-the-Ground get?
May is the wettest month (1.3 in.), out of about 9.8 in. a year.
How smoky does Crack-in-the-Ground get in fire season?
NOAA's HRRR-Smoke model gives the area around Crack-in-the-Ground an average of 20 smoky days a fire season from 2021 to 2025. On each of those days, smoke held the air quality index at about 75 or higher for at least three hours. About 26 more days a season had lighter smoke.
What kind of place is Crack-in-the-Ground?
Crack-in-the-Ground is a volcanic fissure more than 2 miles long and up to 70 feet deep, north of Christmas Valley in northern Lake County. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) keeps a free, year-round trailhead and a 2-mile trail along the fissure floor. The floor can be up to 20 degrees cooler than the desert above.
What is Crack-in-the-Ground weather like in November?
November at Crack-in-the-Ground averages a high of 47°F and a low of 24°F, with 0.9 in. of precipitation over about 5 wet days. Afternoon wind averages 10 mph.
More about Crack-in-the-Ground weather
Guides that explain the weather here and nearby
Data sources and methods
- Monthly temperatures and precipitation: NOAA 1991-2020 normals.
- Fog, cloud, wind, sun, and comfort by hour and month: NOAA's HRRR hourly analysis from May 2016 to May 2026.
- Daily records and recent months: NOAA HRRR analyses, including its hourly precipitation.
- Nearby comparisons and regional rankings use the same hourly HRRR summaries for every destination in the region.
- Alerts: National Weather Service.
- All statements on this page are computed from these datasets, apart from the “What shapes the weather” guide, which cites its sources inline.
- Bureau of Land Management, Crack-in-the-Ground (accessed 2026-10-29)
- Wikipedia, Crack in the Ground (accessed 2026-10-29)
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