Waldo Lake South End / Shadow Bay, Oregon Weather
Lake • Central Oregon
Shadow Bay is the large bay at the south end of Waldo Lake in the Willamette National Forest. You reach it from Highway 58 by Waldo Lake Road and Forest Road 5896. Its 92-site campground is the only one on the lake that stayed open after the Cedar Creek Fire. Beside it, a day-use area has a launch for paddlers and electric boats.
Plan your week
10-Day Forecast
Hour by hour
Hourly Forecast
Current Conditions
Comfort Breakdown
Waldo Lake South End / Shadow Bay weather today and through the year
It's 32°F at Waldo Lake South End / Shadow Bay right now (feels like 22°F), with 12 mph wind and a comfort score of 27. Today's forecast high at Waldo Lake South End / Shadow Bay is 43°F, 3°F above the mid November normal of 40°F. No fog in the forecast for tomorrow at Waldo Lake South End / Shadow Bay. In November, 19% of morning hours here are foggy on average. The best window tomorrow is 8 AM to 11 AM, at about 36°F with a 12 mph wind (comfort 32).
July is the warmest month at Waldo Lake South End / Shadow Bay, with an average high of 71°F. December is the coldest, with an average low of 24°F. December is the wettest month (12.6 in.), out of about 77.3 in. a year. By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and precipitation odds, the most comfortable months at Waldo Lake South End / Shadow Bay are August, July, and September. The best hours are usually 11 AM to 2 PM in August, 11 AM to 2 PM in July, and 1 PM to 4 PM in September.
Shadow Bay sits on the west side of the Cascade divide, only about six miles north of Willamette Pass. Storms moving up from the Willamette Valley rise over this high country and drop heavy precipitation before they reach the crest. Nearly all of it falls as snow in winter. The south end ends up with one of the deepest snowpacks in the area. It gets a little more snow than the north end of the lake and far more than Davis Lake or Crane Prairie on the east side.
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 Waldo Lake South End / Shadow Bay in the next few days
No active National Weather Service alerts for this location.
Fog
No fog in the forecast for tomorrow at Waldo Lake South End / Shadow Bay. In November, 19% of morning hours here are foggy on average.
Best time to go
The best window tomorrow is 8 AM to 11 AM, at about 36°F with a 12 mph wind (comfort 32).
Best day this week
Of the next 7 days, Sunday looks best for Waldo Lake South End / Shadow Bay, with a 37°F high and midday comfort near 33.
This weekend
This weekend: Saturday 38°F/30°F with a 83% chance of rain, Sunday 37°F/27°F with a 99% chance of rain.
Rain
Next good chance of rain: today (100%, about 0.32 in.).
Snow
Snow is in the forecast: about 6.5 in. over the next week, starting today.
Freezing nights
7 of the next 7 nights are forecast to reach freezing or colder.
Live weather map
Weather around Waldo Lake South End / Shadow Bay right now
Snow and 32° at Waldo Lake South End / Shadow Bay right now.
About the live weather map for Waldo Lake South End / Shadow Bay
The map centers on Waldo Lake South End / Shadow Bay 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.
Waldo Lake South End / Shadow Bay vs nearby places
Typical summer conditions compared with Waldo Lake South End / Shadow Bay, 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 Waldo Lake South End / Shadow Bay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waldo Lake North End | 5 mi | -1°F | 7% | 9 mph | a very similar climate |
| Gold Lake Sno-Park | 5.9 mi | +3°F | 4% | 9 mph | a very similar climate |
| Willamette Pass | 6.2 mi | -1°F | 5% | 9 mph | a very similar climate |
| Wickiup Reservoir | 17.2 mi | +11°F | 0% | 9 mph | about 72% less precipitation a year and about 11°F warmer on summer afternoons |
| Gilchrist | 23 mi | +11°F | 1% | 8 mph | about 71% less precipitation a year and about 11°F warmer on summer afternoons |
| Crescent | 23.5 mi | +11°F | 1% | 8 mph | about 71% less precipitation a year and about 11°F warmer on summer afternoons |
Places with a climate like Waldo Lake South End / Shadow Bay's
- Scott Lake (36 mi away): nearly the same temperatures every month
- McKenzie Pass / Dee Wright Observatory (41 mi away): nearly the same temperatures every month
- Devils Lake (28 mi away): nearly the same temperatures every month
Climate Dashboard
Current conditions vs. NOAA normals and recent destination baseline
What the Waldo Lake South End / Shadow Bay climate comparisons mean
These cards compare recent conditions at Waldo Lake South End / Shadow Bay 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 Waldo Lake South End / Shadow Bay 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.
Waldo Lake South End / Shadow Bay weather by month
July is the warmest month at Waldo Lake South End / Shadow Bay, with an average high of 71°F. December is the coldest, with an average low of 24°F. December is the wettest month (12.6 in.), out of about 77.3 in. a year. Morning fog peaks in February, when fog or low cloud covers 27% of the hours from 6 to 10 AM. 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 Waldo Lake South End / Shadow Bay are August, July, and September. The best hours are usually 11 AM to 2 PM in August, 11 AM to 2 PM in July, and 1 PM to 4 PM in September.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Precip | Wet days | Morning fog | Midday cloud | Afternoon wind | Daylight | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 36°F | 24°F | 10.9 in | 20 | 24% | 16% | 9 mph | 9.3 h | 3 |
| Feb | 38°F | 24°F | 8.2 in | 17 | 27% | 20% | 9 mph | 10.4 h | 2 |
| Mar | 41°F | 25°F | 9.0 in | 18 | 24% | 18% | 9 mph | 11.8 h | 14 |
| Apr | 45°F | 28°F | 7.5 in | 16 | 25% | 17% | 8 mph | 13.4 h | 19 |
| May | 54°F | 34°F | 5.1 in | 13 | 19% | 13% | 8 mph | 14.7 h | 25 |
| Jun | 60°F | 38°F | 3.0 in | 10 | 10% | 8% | 9 mph | 15.4 h | 48 |
| Jul | 71°F | 45°F | 0.8 in | 6 | 1% | 2% | 9 mph | 15.1 h | 83 |
| Aug | 71°F | 45°F | 0.8 in | 5 | 3% | 2% | 9 mph | 13.9 h | 84 |
| Sep | 64°F | 41°F | 2.3 in | 9 | 9% | 5% | 8 mph | 12.4 h | 66 |
| Oct | 51°F | 34°F | 6.0 in | 15 | 15% | 10% | 9 mph | 10.9 h | 17 |
| Nov | 40°F | 28°F | 10.9 in | 20 | 19% | 16% | 9 mph | 9.6 h | 10 |
| Dec | 35°F | 24°F | 12.6 in | 21 | 26% | 14% | 9 mph | 8.9 h | 0 |
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 Waldo Lake South End / Shadow Bay's weather different
When the fog burns off
30%of 4 AM hours foggy in February
Fog or low cloud covers Waldo Lake South End / Shadow Bay in 30% of 4 AM hours in February, the foggiest month. It often lingers, and 26% of mid-afternoon hours are still foggy. July mornings are the least foggy (1%).
When the wind picks up
1 PMwhen afternoon wind builds, June–August
From June through August, wind at Waldo Lake South End / Shadow Bay typically builds after 1 PM. In June it peaks around 4 PM, averaging 9 mph with 3% of those hours windy, while mornings average 6 mph. Overall, January is the windiest month, peaking near 10 mph around 4 AM.
Freezing hours
21 hbelow freezing on a typical February night
In February, the average stays at or below freezing for 21 hours of the night and morning.
Daylight
8.9–15.4 hof daylight, Dec to Jun
Days at Waldo Lake South End / Shadow Bay range from about 8.9 hours in December to 15.4 hours in June. In mid-June the sun sets around 8:50 PM, and in mid-December around 4:35 PM.
Wildfire smoke
27 daysof smoky air per fire season (about AQI 75+)
NOAA's HRRR-Smoke model gives the area around Waldo Lake South End / Shadow Bay an average of 27 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 22 more days a season had lighter smoke.
Snow
257 inof snow per winter (HRRR estimate)
NOAA's HRRR model puts Waldo Lake South End / Shadow Bay at about 257 inches of snow a winter, falling on about 71 days. That is the average of the 2023-24, 2024-25 and 2025-26 winters.
Seasons at Waldo Lake South End / Shadow Bay
- Warm seasonJun 26 – Sep 25 · highs 62°F+
The warm season lasts about 3 months, from Jun 26 to Sep 25, when the average high is 62°F or warmer. Highs peak around Jul 8 at about 71°F.
- Cool seasonNov 26 – Feb 26 · highs 39°F or lower
The cool season runs from Nov 26 to Feb 26, when the average high is 39°F or lower. The coldest nights come around Dec 8, with an average low near 24°F.
- Freezing nightsOct 30 – May 3 · lows 32°F or colder
Average lows at Waldo Lake South End / Shadow Bay are at or below freezing from Oct 30 to May 3.
- Wet seasonOct 15 – May 7 · 82% of the year's precipitation
The wet season runs from Oct 15 to May 7, when a day has at least a 46% 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 6 and half of its annual total by Jan 26.
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, Waldo Lake South End / Shadow Bay averaged no days at 90°F or hotter and 158 nights a year at or below freezing. It averaged 26 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 68 mornings a year had 3 or more hours of fog or low cloud.
In the same record, the hottest day was Aug 22, 2025 (86°F) and the coldest night was Feb 11, 2025 (2°F). The wettest day was Mar 16, 2025 (3.40 in.), and the strongest 2 PM gust was 50 mph on Dec 18, 2025.
- 0days at 90°F or hotter
- 158nights at or below freezing
- 26days with ½ in. of precipitation or more
- 0afternoons with 20+ mph wind
- 68mornings with 3+ hours of fog or low cloud
- Hottest day86°FAug 22, 2025
- Coldest night2°FFeb 11, 2025
- Wettest day3.40 inMar 16, 2025
- Strongest 2 PM gust50 mphDec 18, 2025
What shapes Waldo Lake South End / Shadow Bay's weather
Snow sets the calendar at Shadow Bay. Waldo Lake Road often holds snow from November into June, and the campground opens only in summer. The Forest Service warns that snow can linger late on the trail around the lake. Late winter is the cloudiest time, when the lake often sits inside the clouds and fog can hang on into the afternoon.
Unlike the burned north shore, Shadow Bay is ringed by older forest. The shade keeps campsites cooler on summer afternoons, but it also holds moisture, so mosquitoes are thick here in early summer. The west wind that sweeps the open lake most afternoons still reaches the bay, though the trees shelter the campsites from the worst of it.
Midsummer days are clear and mild, and nights are cold. Smoke from Cascade wildfires is the main late-summer hazard, and the Cedar Creek Fire burn area lies only a few miles to the west.
Tips for visiting Waldo Lake South End / Shadow Bay
Bring your own drinking water
Shadow Bay's drinking water is sometimes shut off during the season, so bring enough of your own. Gold Lake Campground is the nearest other place to fill up.
Expect a busier campground
With the north-end campgrounds closed after the Cedar Creek Fire, Shadow Bay is the only open campground on the shore and gets more use.
Pack serious bug repellent
The Forest Service says North Waldo's drier, burned-over ground has fewer early-summer mosquitoes than shady Shadow Bay, so come prepared here.
Bring a recreation pass
The day-use area charges a daily vehicle fee, and the Northwest Forest Pass and interagency passes are valid.
Ski in from Waldo Lake Sno-Park
In winter, a fit, well-prepared skier can travel about 8 miles up Waldo Lake Road from the sno-park to South Waldo Shelter. The road is shared with snowmobiles.
Waldo Lake South End / Shadow Bay through the seasons
- Spring (March–May)
- Deep snow still covers the bay, and Waldo Lake Road usually stays snowbound into June.
- Summer (June–August)
- The campground season runs from June, with peak use from June to mid-August. Days are mild and clear, and mosquitoes are heavy early.
- Fall (September–November)
- Fall brings fewer bugs and cooler, quiet days. The day-use area stays open into October, weather permitting, and snow returns by November.
- Winter (December–February)
- In winter the bay is snowbound and reached only on skis or snowmobile. South Waldo Shelter, near the south end, is a three-sided shelter with a wood stove.
Activities and the weather that matters
- Paddling: The Shadow Bay launch serves non-motorized and electric boats. Start early, before the afternoon west wind reaches the open lake.
- Camping: The campground has 92 sites and three group sites in shady forest. Nights are cold even in July, so bring warm sleeping gear.
- Hiking: The Jim Weaver Loop and the Waldo Shoreline Trail pass nearby, and the South Waldo Trail climbs steeply from Forest Road 5894. Early fall is the Forest Service's pick for the loop, after mosquitoes fade.
- Backcountry skiing: Skiers reach the south end by Waldo Lake Road or by Gold Lake Road and the Fuji Mountain Trail from Gold Lake Sno-Park. Both need a sno-park permit.
Official sources and current conditions
- Forest Service: Shadow Bay Campground
- Forest Service: Shadow Bay Day Use Area
- Forest Service: Waldo Lake Sno-Park
- NWS forecast for Shadow Bay
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 | 40 | 36° / 25.2° | 3.5h | 11d | 9.63" | 2 |
| December 2024 | 41 | 37.8° / 26.8° | 3.5h | 5d | 11.22" | 1 |
| January 2025 | 53 | 38.3° / 24.3° | 5.8h | 6d | 4.37" | 1 |
| February 2025 | 44 | 32.7° / 17.8° | 4.3h | 6d | 6.16" | 2 |
| March 2025 | 46 | 37.3° / 25.7° | 5.7h | 11d | 10.06" | 3 |
| April 2025 | 67 | 46.2° / 29.2° | 9.4h | 5d | 1.04" | 10 |
| May 2025 | 74 | 53.4° / 35.2° | 9.5h | 9d | 0.93" | 17 |
| June 2025 | 92 | 64.4° / 42.4° | 12h | 2d | 0.41" | 27 |
| July 2025 | 98 | 72° / 49.8° | 12.4h | 0d | 0.02" | 31 |
| August 2025 | 96 | 72.2° / 50.7° | 11.3h | 1d | 0.06" | 30 |
| September 2025 | 87 | 67.1° / 47.2° | 8.8h | 1d | 0.94" | 22 |
| October 2025 | 64 | 48.7° / 33.4° | 6.7h | 7d | 3.7" | 12 |
| November 2025 | 59 | 44.5° / 33° | 6.4h | 2d | 2.71" | 5 |
| December 2025 | 43 | 39.3° / 29.5° | 3.5h | 12d | 9.28" | 1 |
| January 2026 | 58 | 41° / 29.2° | 6.1h | 5d | 2.21" | 4 |
| February 2026 | 55 | 39.1° / 26.2° | 5.9h | 3d | 4.64" | 5 |
| March 2026 | 60 | 45.6° / 30.9° | 7.2h | 10d | 3.4" | 10 |
| April 2026 | 67 | 47° / 30.1° | 8.2h | 7d | 3.67" | 14 |
| May 2026 | 82 | 57.2° / 36.7° | 11h | 3d | 2.39" | 22 |
| June 2026 | 83 | 61.2° / 41.1° | 10.7h | 4d | 1.07" | 23 |
| July 2026 | 97 | 70.8° / 48.7° | 12.4h | 0d | 0.25" | 31 |
| August 2026 | 97 | 72° / 49.4° | 11.5h | 0d | 0" | 31 |
| September 2026 | 82 | 58.8° / 40.3° | 8.5h | 3d | 1.24" | 22 |
| October 2026 | 77 | 55.8° / 38.2° | 7.7h | 2d | 0.69" | 18 |
Climate Trends
Average Temperature by Month
About the Waldo Lake South End / Shadow Bay climate charts
The temperature chart compares average monthly highs and lows at Waldo Lake South End / Shadow Bay, 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 Waldo Lake South End / Shadow Bay. 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 5.1″ on that date.
Now
0″
Typical peak
97″
Deepest
137″
2024–25
About this chart and each season's peak
Each gray line is one winter at Waldo Lake South End / Shadow Bay (5,390 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 | 41″ | Mar 5 | 145 |
| 2024–25 | 137″ | Mar 17 | 221 |
| 2023–24 | 106″ | Mar 6 | 230 |
| 2022–23 | 133″ | Apr 4 | 242 |
| 2021–22 | 101″ | May 9 | 237 |
| 2020–21 | 104″ | Mar 23 | 221 |
| 2019–20 | 97″ | Apr 2 | 213 |
| 2018–19 | 103″ | Feb 26 | 204 |
| 2017–18 | 63″ | Apr 18 | 218 |
| 2016–17 | 111″ | Mar 8 | 219 |
| 2015–16 | 111″ | Mar 15 | 211 |
| 2014–15 | 21″ | Mar 26 | 148 |
| 2013–14 | 64″ | Feb 21 | 195 |
| 2012–13 | 80″ | Feb 26 | 212 |
| 2011–12 | 87″ | Mar 22 | 214 |
| 2010–11 | 118″ | Mar 30 | 250 |
| 2009–10 | 63″ | May 1 | 232 |
| 2008–09 | 107″ | Apr 4 | 193 |
| 2007–08 | 128″ | Feb 4 | 217 |
| 2006–07 | 75″ | Mar 3 | 185 |
| 2005–06 | 77″ | Mar 11 | 207 |
| 2004–05 | 74″ | Mar 31 | 185 |
| 2003–04 | 72″ | Mar 5 | 224 |
Hourly Temperature, Wind, and Cloud Cover Patterns
Average local hour by month from 2016-05-01 to 2026-05-01
- Temperature: At Waldo Lake South End / Shadow Bay, the warmest typical hour is 3 PM in August (71°F). The coldest is 7 AM in February (24°F).
- Wind: From June through August, wind at Waldo Lake South End / Shadow Bay typically builds after 1 PM. In June it peaks around 4 PM, averaging 9 mph with 3% of those hours windy, while mornings average 6 mph. Overall, January is the windiest month, peaking near 10 mph around 4 AM.
- Cloud Cover: July middays are the clearest at Waldo Lake South End / Shadow Bay (2% average cloud cover), and February middays are the cloudiest (20%).
How to read the hourly heatmaps for Waldo Lake South End / Shadow Bay
This heatmap shows how average temperature at Waldo Lake South End / Shadow Bay 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 Waldo Lake South End / Shadow Bay 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 Waldo Lake South End / Shadow Bay 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 Waldo Lake South End / Shadow Bay
- October 2026 recap: October 2026 at Waldo Lake South End / Shadow Bay averaged a high of 56°F, 5°F warmer than the 1991-2020 normal of 51°F.
Location Details
Waldo Lake South End / Shadow Bay weather questions
Everything you need to know about weather and visiting Waldo Lake South End / Shadow Bay
What is the weather like at Waldo Lake South End / Shadow Bay today?
It's 32°F at Waldo Lake South End / Shadow Bay right now, with a comfort score of 27 (poor). Today's forecast high at Waldo Lake South End / Shadow Bay is 43°F, 3°F above the mid November normal of 40°F. The best window tomorrow is 8 AM to 11 AM, at about 36°F with a 12 mph wind (comfort 32).
What is the best month to visit Waldo Lake South End / Shadow Bay?
By typical temperature, wind, cloud, humidity, and precipitation odds, the most comfortable months at Waldo Lake South End / Shadow Bay are August, July, and September. The best hours are usually 11 AM to 2 PM in August, 11 AM to 2 PM in July, and 1 PM to 4 PM in September. The warm season lasts about 3 months, from Jun 26 to Sep 25, when the average high is 62°F or warmer. Highs peak around Jul 8 at about 71°F.
What are the warmest and coldest months at Waldo Lake South End / Shadow Bay?
July is the warmest month at Waldo Lake South End / Shadow Bay, with an average high of 71°F. December is the coldest, with an average low of 24°F. Average lows at Waldo Lake South End / Shadow Bay are at or below freezing from Oct 30 to May 3.
When does the fog burn off at Waldo Lake South End / Shadow Bay?
Fog or low cloud covers Waldo Lake South End / Shadow Bay in 30% of 4 AM hours in February, the foggiest month. It often lingers, and 26% of mid-afternoon hours are still foggy. July mornings are the least foggy (1%).
When is it windiest at Waldo Lake South End / Shadow Bay?
From June through August, wind at Waldo Lake South End / Shadow Bay typically builds after 1 PM. In June it peaks around 4 PM, averaging 9 mph with 3% of those hours windy, while mornings average 6 mph. Overall, January is the windiest month, peaking near 10 mph around 4 AM.
Does it snow at Waldo Lake South End / Shadow Bay?
Yes, a lot. NOAA's HRRR model puts Waldo Lake South End / Shadow Bay at about 257 inches of snow a winter, falling on about 71 days. That is the average of the 2023-24, 2024-25 and 2025-26 winters.
How much rain and snow does Waldo Lake South End / Shadow Bay get?
December is the wettest month (12.6 in.), out of about 77.3 in. a year. The wet season runs from Oct 15 to May 7, when a day has at least a 46% chance of measurable precipitation. That stretch brings 82% of the year's precipitation.
How smoky does Waldo Lake South End / Shadow Bay get in fire season?
NOAA's HRRR-Smoke model gives the area around Waldo Lake South End / Shadow Bay an average of 27 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 22 more days a season had lighter smoke.
How do you get to Shadow Bay at Waldo Lake?
From Oakridge, drive east on Highway 58 for 23.3 miles and turn left onto Waldo Lake Road (Forest Road 5897). Go 6.7 miles, then turn left on Forest Road 5896 for 1.7 miles. The campground is about 32 miles from Oakridge.
What kind of place is Waldo Lake South End / Shadow Bay?
Shadow Bay is the large bay at the south end of Waldo Lake in the Willamette National Forest. You reach it from Highway 58 by Waldo Lake Road and Forest Road 5896. Its 92-site campground is the only one on the lake that stayed open after the Cedar Creek Fire. Beside it, a day-use area has a launch for paddlers and electric boats.
What is Waldo Lake South End / Shadow Bay weather like in November?
November at Waldo Lake South End / Shadow Bay averages a high of 40°F and a low of 28°F, with 10.9 in. of precipitation over about 20 wet days. About 19% of morning hours are foggy. Afternoon wind averages 9 mph.
More about Waldo Lake South End / Shadow Bay 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.
- USDA Forest Service, Willamette National Forest: Shadow Bay Campground (Waldo Lake) (accessed 2026-10-29)
- USDA Forest Service, Willamette National Forest: Shadow Bay Day Use Area (Waldo Lake) (accessed 2026-10-29)
- USDA Forest Service, Willamette National Forest: Waldo Lake Area (updated Sept. 1, 2026) (accessed 2026-10-29)
- USDA Forest Service, Willamette National Forest: North Waldo Campground (accessed 2026-10-29)
- USDA Forest Service, Willamette National Forest: North Waldo Boat Launch & Day-Use (accessed 2026-10-29)
- USDA Forest Service, Willamette National Forest: Waldo Lake Sno-Park (accessed 2026-10-29)
Rendered 2026-11-14T01:07:39.556Z.