Idanha, Oregon Weather
Town • Central Oregon
Idanha is a small mountain city on Oregon Route 22 in the North Santiam River canyon, just upriver from Detroit. Here the river forms the line between Marion and Linn counties. It grew up as a railroad and timber town. Since the mills closed in the 1990s, it has served highway travelers and visitors headed for Detroit Lake and the Mount Jefferson trailheads.
Plan your week
10-Day Forecast
Hour by hour
Hourly Forecast
Current Conditions
Comfort Breakdown
Idanha weather today and through the year
It's 47°F at Idanha right now (feels like 43°F), with 4 mph wind and a comfort score of 60. Today's forecast high at Idanha is 57°F, 10°F above the mid November normal of 47°F. The best window tomorrow is 8 AM to 11 AM, at about 49°F with a 5 mph wind (comfort 66).
July is the warmest month at Idanha, with an average high of 81°F. December is the coldest, with an average low of 29°F. December is the wettest month (13.3 in.), out of about 82.3 in. a year. By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and precipitation odds, the most comfortable months at Idanha are July, August, and September. The best hours are usually 9 AM to noon in July, 9 AM to noon in August, and 11 AM to 2 PM in September.
Idanha is on the wet west side of the Cascades, deep in the North Santiam canyon. Pacific storms move up the canyon from the Willamette Valley, rise against the Cascades and drop heavy rain here from fall through spring. Idanha gets several times as much precipitation as Camp Sherman on the dry east side of the crest. The two towns are less than 30 miles apart.
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 Idanha 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 49°F with a 5 mph wind (comfort 66).
Best day this week
Of the next 7 days, Saturday looks best for Idanha, with a 52°F high and midday comfort near 59. Thursday looks weakest (2).
This weekend
This weekend: Saturday 52°F/43°F with a 92% chance of rain, Sunday 49°F/42°F with a 99% chance of rain.
Rain
Next good chance of rain: today (96%, about 0.28 in.).
Freezing nights
2 of the next 7 nights are forecast to reach freezing or colder.
Live weather map
Weather around Idanha right now
Overcast and 47° at Idanha right now.
About the live weather map for Idanha
The map centers on Idanha 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.
Idanha vs nearby places
Typical summer conditions compared with Idanha, 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 Idanha |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marion Forks | 8.8 mi | -1°F | 1% | 5 mph | a very similar climate |
| Pamelia Lake | 11.9 mi | -15°F | 10% | 6 mph | about 15°F cooler on summer afternoons and 2,165 ft higher |
| Mount Jefferson | 13.9 mi | -27°F | 12% | 11 mph | 8,751 ft higher and about 27°F cooler on summer afternoons |
| Three Fingered Jack | 19.3 mi | -18°F | 13% | 11 mph | 6,096 ft higher and about 18°F cooler on summer afternoons |
| Square Lake | 22.4 mi | -11°F | 4% | 10 mph | about 11°F cooler on summer afternoons and 3,012 ft higher |
| Santiam Pass | 22.4 mi | -10°F | 9% | 9 mph | 3,079 ft higher and about 10°F cooler on summer afternoons |
Places with a climate like Idanha's
- Tamolitch Blue Pool (27 mi away): nearly the same temperatures every month
- Clear Lake / Santiam Area (24 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
- Sahalie / Koosah Falls (25 mi away): similar temperatures through the year
Climate Dashboard
Current conditions vs. NOAA normals and recent destination baseline
What the Idanha climate comparisons mean
These cards compare recent conditions at Idanha 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 Idanha 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.
Idanha weather by month
July is the warmest month at Idanha, with an average high of 81°F. December is the coldest, with an average low of 29°F. December is the wettest month (13.3 in.), out of about 82.3 in. a year. July has the clearest middays, with clouds covering about 5% of the sky from 11 AM to 3 PM.
By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and precipitation odds, the most comfortable months at Idanha are July, August, and September. The best hours are usually 9 AM to noon in July, 9 AM to noon in August, and 11 AM to 2 PM in September.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Precip | Wet days | Morning fog | Midday cloud | Afternoon wind | Daylight | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 42°F | 30°F | 11.4 in | 20 | 2% | 31% | 5 mph | 9.2 h | 21 |
| Feb | 45°F | 30°F | 8.6 in | 17 | 6% | 36% | 5 mph | 10.4 h | 20 |
| Mar | 50°F | 31°F | 9.4 in | 18 | 3% | 35% | 5 mph | 11.8 h | 19 |
| Apr | 56°F | 34°F | 7.4 in | 16 | 3% | 33% | 6 mph | 13.5 h | 29 |
| May | 64°F | 40°F | 5.2 in | 14 | 3% | 28% | 6 mph | 14.8 h | 54 |
| Jun | 70°F | 44°F | 3.4 in | 11 | 1% | 18% | 7 mph | 15.6 h | 70 |
| Jul | 81°F | 49°F | 0.8 in | 5 | 0% | 5% | 7 mph | 15.2 h | 83 |
| Aug | 80°F | 48°F | 1.0 in | 6 | 0% | 6% | 7 mph | 14.0 h | 82 |
| Sep | 73°F | 43°F | 3.0 in | 10 | 1% | 13% | 7 mph | 12.4 h | 72 |
| Oct | 59°F | 37°F | 7.2 in | 16 | 1% | 23% | 5 mph | 10.8 h | 47 |
| Nov | 47°F | 33°F | 11.5 in | 20 | 2% | 28% | 5 mph | 9.5 h | 25 |
| Dec | 40°F | 29°F | 13.3 in | 22 | 4% | 33% | 5 mph | 8.8 h | 17 |
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 Idanha's weather different
Among the 26 Central Oregon towns we track, Idanha has the 3rd-calmest summer afternoons and the 2nd-mildest winter nights.
- #3of 26
calmest summer afternoonsamong Central Oregon towns
- #2of 26
mildest winter nightsamong Central Oregon towns
When the wind picks up
noonwhen afternoon wind builds, May–September
From May through September, wind at Idanha typically builds after noon. In July it peaks around 4 PM, averaging 8 mph, while mornings average 3 mph.
Daylight
8.8–15.6 hof daylight, Dec to Jun
Days at Idanha range from about 8.8 hours in December to 15.6 hours in June. In mid-June the sun sets around 8:56 PM, and in mid-December around 4:32 PM.
Wildfire smoke
9 daysof smoky air per fire season (about AQI 75+)
NOAA's HRRR-Smoke model gives the area around Idanha an average of 9 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
28 inof snow per winter (HRRR estimate)
NOAA's HRRR model puts Idanha at about 28 inches of snow a winter, falling on about 14 days. That is the average of the 2023-24, 2024-25 and 2025-26 winters.
Seasons at Idanha
- Warm seasonJun 26 – Sep 24 · highs 72°F+
The warm season lasts about 3 months, from Jun 26 to Sep 24, when the average high is 72°F or warmer. Highs peak around Jul 8 at about 81°F.
- Cool seasonNov 26 – Feb 22 · highs 46°F or lower
The cool season runs from Nov 26 to Feb 22, when the average high is 46°F or lower. The coldest nights come around Dec 8, with an average low near 29°F.
- Freezing nightsNov 27 – Mar 28 · lows 32°F or colder
Average lows at Idanha are at or below freezing from Nov 27 to Mar 28.
- Wet seasonOct 11 – May 3 · 82% of the year's precipitation
The wet season runs from Oct 11 to May 3, when a day has at least a 48% chance of measurable precipitation. That stretch brings 82% of the year's precipitation.
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 Oct 5 and half of its annual total by Jan 25.
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, Idanha averaged 12 days a year at 90°F or hotter and 26 nights a year at or below freezing. It averaged 29 days a year with at least half an inch of precipitation and 0 afternoons with wind of 20 mph or more at 2 PM. About 10 mornings a year had 3 or more hours of fog or low cloud.
In the same record, the hottest day was Aug 22, 2025 (100°F) and the coldest night was Feb 11, 2025 (15°F). The wettest day was Dec 18, 2025 (4.00 in.), and the strongest 2 PM gust was 44 mph on Dec 18, 2025.
- 12days at 90°F or hotter
- 26nights at or below freezing
- 29days with ½ in. of precipitation or more
- 0afternoons with 20+ mph wind
- 10mornings with 3+ hours of fog or low cloud
- Hottest day100°FAug 22, 2025
- Coldest night15°FFeb 11, 2025
- Wettest day4.00 inDec 18, 2025
- Strongest 2 PM gust44 mphDec 18, 2025
What shapes Idanha's weather
Idanha's low elevation decides whether winter storms bring rain or snow. Most winter storms bring rain to Idanha while dumping snow on Santiam Pass and the Mount Jefferson trailheads above. Snow does fall in town in colder storms, but it rarely stays long. Freezing nights come for a shorter stretch of winter in Idanha than at Marion Forks, farther up the canyon. Drivers heading east on Route 22 often pass from rain into snow somewhere between Idanha and Santiam Junction.
The canyon walls shelter the town from most wind, and summer afternoons bring only a light up-canyon breeze. Summers are warm and dry, and the clear, stable weather of July and August makes this the easy season to visit.
Idanha's biggest weather danger is an east-wind event, when dry wind from the interior pours down the North Santiam canyon in late summer or fall. On September 7, 2020, strong east winds drove the Lionshead Fire down the canyon through Idanha and forced overnight evacuations. It merged with other fires into a blaze that burned more than 400,000 acres.
Tips for visiting Idanha
Watch for the snow line on Route 22
Route 22 runs about 26 miles from Idanha to U.S. 20 at Santiam Junction, climbing from rain into snow country. Check the state's TripCheck road report and carry chains in winter.
Check campground status before you go
Whispering Falls Campground, on the North Santiam about 8 miles southeast of Detroit, normally runs April through October but has been closed for whole seasons. Confirm before you plan a stay.
Know the east-wind warning signs
Hot, dry east wind in late summer or fall is the most dangerous fire weather in this canyon. Follow red flag warnings, the weather service's alerts for extreme fire weather, and any evacuation notices.
Use the Detroit Ranger Station
The Detroit Ranger Station on the North Santiam Highway handles trail, campground and wilderness permit questions for this stretch of the canyon.
Pack rain gear most of the year
From mid-fall to late spring, plan on rain on most days. July and August are the reliably dry months.
Idanha through the seasons
- Spring (March–May)
- Spring is wet and cool, with the river running high from rain and snowmelt. Trailheads above town stay snowbound into late spring.
- Summer (June–August)
- Summer is warm, dry and calm in the canyon. Smoke from Cascade fires is possible, and the riverside campgrounds are at their busiest.
- Fall (September–November)
- Early fall can bring dry east wind and high fire danger. Steady rain usually returns by mid-October.
- Winter (December–February)
- Winter is the wettest season, with mostly rain in town and occasional snow. Higher on Route 22, snow and ice are common.
Activities and the weather that matters
- River fishing and camping: The best months run from late spring through early fall, when the North Santiam drops from its winter highs.
- Scenic driving on Route 22: Summer and early fall are easiest. In winter, conditions change fast as the road climbs toward Santiam Junction.
- Base for Mount Jefferson hikes: The wilderness trailheads above the canyon open as snow melts in early summer. The Pamelia Lake trailhead turnoff is about 12.5 miles east of Detroit.
Official sources and current conditions
- Willamette National Forest: Detroit Ranger District
- Willamette National Forest: Whispering Falls Campground
- ODOT TripCheck road 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 | 54 | 48.1° / 38° | 4.2h | 0d | 6.98" | 3 |
| December 2024 | 53 | 48.5° / 37.9° | 3.5h | 0d | 9.72" | 7 |
| January 2025 | 65 | 48° / 34.2° | 5.6h | 0d | 3.51" | 11 |
| February 2025 | 55 | 45° / 32.5° | 4.4h | 3d | 5.87" | 4 |
| March 2025 | 62 | 50.9° / 37.8° | 5.8h | 1d | 8.63" | 10 |
| April 2025 | 87 | 59.1° / 40.3° | 10h | 1d | 1.57" | 25 |
| May 2025 | 87 | 64.1° / 44.6° | 10.4h | 1d | 1.37" | 23 |
| June 2025 | 95 | 73.9° / 50.4° | 12.2h | 0d | 0.7" | 27 |
| July 2025 | 97 | 81.9° / 57.2° | 12.8h | 0d | 0" | 31 |
| August 2025 | 93 | 83.2° / 58.9° | 11.1h | 0d | 0.13" | 29 |
| September 2025 | 91 | 78.4° / 55.1° | 9.3h | 0d | 1.04" | 26 |
| October 2025 | 77 | 59.5° / 43.7° | 6.5h | 0d | 4.15" | 19 |
| November 2025 | 69 | 54.5° / 42.1° | 5.2h | 0d | 3.56" | 10 |
| December 2025 | 51 | 49.6° / 39.8° | 3.4h | 0d | 12.51" | 5 |
| January 2026 | 70 | 51.6° / 39.3° | 5.6h | 0d | 3.26" | 16 |
| February 2026 | 66 | 50.1° / 37.1° | 5.4h | 3d | 5.86" | 13 |
| March 2026 | 72 | 54.4° / 40.7° | 6.9h | 0d | 4.26" | 16 |
| April 2026 | 79 | 58.2° / 40.5° | 8.7h | 0d | 3.15" | 19 |
| May 2026 | 91 | 67.5° / 46.1° | 11.4h | 0d | 1.65" | 28 |
| June 2026 | 89 | 71.7° / 50.6° | 10.4h | 0d | 1.58" | 24 |
| July 2026 | 97 | 79.4° / 54.9° | 12.5h | 0d | 0.06" | 31 |
| August 2026 | 96 | 81.9° / 55.6° | 11.6h | 0d | 0.01" | 31 |
| September 2026 | 91 | 69.6° / 49.5° | 9.2h | 0d | 1.61" | 25 |
| October 2026 | 84 | 66.7° / 45.6° | 7.5h | 0d | 1.36" | 25 |
Climate Trends
Average Temperature by Month
About the Idanha climate charts
The temperature chart compares average monthly highs and lows at Idanha, 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 Idanha. 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″ on that date.
Now
0″
Typical peak
15″
Deepest
43″
2008–09
About this chart and each season's peak
Each gray line is one winter at Idanha (1,841 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 | 3.6″ | Jan 9 | 10 |
| 2024–25 | 3.5″ | Mar 19 | 26 |
| 2023–24 | 17″ | Jan 14 | 38 |
| 2022–23 | 13″ | Mar 5 | 81 |
| 2021–22 | 20″ | Mar 5 | 53 |
| 2020–21 | 3.5″ | Jan 27 | 14 |
| 2019–20 | 6.3″ | Jan 18 | 14 |
| 2018–19 | 22″ | Feb 26 | 50 |
| 2017–18 | 13″ | Feb 25 | 37 |
| 2016–17 | 20″ | Dec 16 | 63 |
| 2015–16 | 17″ | Dec 25 | 39 |
| 2014–15 | 9.6″ | Nov 15 | 16 |
| 2013–14 | 19″ | Feb 9 | 32 |
| 2012–13 | 24″ | Dec 26 | 63 |
| 2011–12 | 26″ | Jan 18 | 59 |
| 2010–11 | 15″ | Feb 25 | 66 |
| 2009–10 | 3.1″ | Jan 1 | 13 |
| 2008–09 | 43″ | Dec 23 | 78 |
| 2007–08 | 42″ | Feb 1 | 79 |
| 2006–07 | 14″ | Mar 2 | 46 |
| 2005–06 | 4.3″ | Mar 10 | 19 |
| 2004–05 | 1.3″ | Feb 7 | 4 |
| 2003–04 | 28″ | Jan 8 | 78 |
Hourly Temperature, Wind, and Cloud Cover Patterns
Average local hour by month from 2016-05-01 to 2026-05-01
- Temperature: At Idanha, the warmest typical hour is 4 PM in August (83°F). The coldest is 7 AM in February (35°F).
- Wind: From May through September, wind at Idanha typically builds after noon. In July it peaks around 4 PM, averaging 8 mph, while mornings average 3 mph.
- Cloud Cover: July middays are the clearest at Idanha (5% average cloud cover), and February middays are the cloudiest (36%).
How to read the hourly heatmaps for Idanha
This heatmap shows how average temperature at Idanha 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 Idanha 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 Idanha 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 Idanha
- October 2026 recap: October 2026 at Idanha averaged a high of 67°F, 8°F warmer than the 1991-2020 normal of 59°F.
Location Details
Idanha weather questions
Everything you need to know about weather and visiting Idanha
What is the weather like at Idanha today?
It's 47°F at Idanha right now, with a comfort score of 60 (good). Today's forecast high at Idanha is 57°F, 10°F above the mid November normal of 47°F. The best window tomorrow is 8 AM to 11 AM, at about 49°F with a 5 mph wind (comfort 66).
What is the best month to visit Idanha?
By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and precipitation odds, the most comfortable months at Idanha are July, August, and September. The best hours are usually 9 AM to noon in July, 9 AM to noon in August, and 11 AM to 2 PM in September. The warm season lasts about 3 months, from Jun 26 to Sep 24, when the average high is 72°F or warmer. Highs peak around Jul 8 at about 81°F.
What are the warmest and coldest months at Idanha?
July is the warmest month at Idanha, with an average high of 81°F. December is the coldest, with an average low of 29°F. Average lows at Idanha are at or below freezing from Nov 27 to Mar 28.
When is it windiest at Idanha?
From May through September, wind at Idanha typically builds after noon. In July it peaks around 4 PM, averaging 8 mph, while mornings average 3 mph.
Does it snow at Idanha?
Yes, in most winters. NOAA's HRRR model puts Idanha at about 28 inches of snow a winter, falling on about 14 days. That is the average of the 2023-24, 2024-25 and 2025-26 winters.
How much rain and snow does Idanha get?
December is the wettest month (13.3 in.), out of about 82.3 in. a year. The wet season runs from Oct 11 to May 3, when a day has at least a 48% chance of measurable precipitation. That stretch brings 82% of the year's precipitation.
How smoky does Idanha get in fire season?
NOAA's HRRR-Smoke model gives the area around Idanha an average of 9 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.
How did Idanha get its name?
The settlement was first known as Muskrat Camp. A hotel owner later renamed it after a brand of mineral water bottled in Soda Springs, Idaho. Idanha became a city in 1950.
What kind of place is Idanha?
Idanha is a small mountain city on Oregon Route 22 in the North Santiam River canyon, just upriver from Detroit. Here the river forms the line between Marion and Linn counties. It grew up as a railroad and timber town. Since the mills closed in the 1990s, it has served highway travelers and visitors headed for Detroit Lake and the Mount Jefferson trailheads.
What is Idanha weather like in November?
November at Idanha averages a high of 47°F and a low of 33°F, with 11.5 in. of precipitation over about 20 wet days. Afternoon wind averages 5 mph.
More about Idanha weather
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.
- Wikipedia, Idanha, Oregon (accessed 2026-10-29)
- Willamette National Forest, Whispering Falls Campground (accessed 2026-10-29)
- Willamette National Forest, Grizzly Peak Trail #3428 (accessed 2026-10-29)
Rendered 2026-11-14T01:05:45.782Z.