Redmond is weird. If you’ve spent more than twenty minutes at Roberts Field (RDM) waiting for a flight, you already know the Redmond Oregon weather report can change faster than a rental car agreement. One minute you’re looking at a sky so blue it looks photoshopped, and the next, a wall of gray clouds is dumping graupel on your windshield. It’s the High Desert.
Expectations are usually wrong. People pack for Oregon thinking it’s all moss and drizzle like Portland, but Redmond is basically the opposite of the Willamette Valley. We are sitting at roughly 3,000 feet of elevation. That height matters. It means the air is thin, the sun is aggressive, and the temperature swings can be absolutely violent. I’ve seen days where it’s 75°F at 3:00 PM and 28°F by sunrise. That’s a 47-degree drop. If you aren't layering, you're failing.
The High Desert Reality Check
The official Redmond Oregon weather report often cites an average of 300 days of sunshine. That’s a bit of a marketing flex, honestly. While it’s technically "sunny" more often than not, "sunny" in January doesn't mean "warm." It means clear skies that allow every ounce of Earth's heat to escape into space the second the sun dips behind the Cascades.
The Cascade Curtain is the real MVP here. Peaks like Mt. Bachelor, the Three Sisters, and Mt. Jefferson act as a massive physical barrier. They catch the wet, heavy Pacific systems and squeeze them dry. By the time that air reaches Redmond, it’s stripped of its moisture. This rain shadow effect is why Redmond only gets about 9 to 10 inches of precipitation a year. To put that in perspective, Portland gets nearly 40. You aren't just in a different city; you're in a different ecosystem.
Humidity? Non-existent. Your skin will crack, your nose might bleed for the first two days, and you will be thirstier than you’ve ever been. Local experts and health professionals in Central Oregon always tell newcomers to double their water intake. It’s dry air, and it sneaks up on you because you don’t sweat the same way—it evaporates instantly.
Winter: It’s Not Just About Snow
Winter in Redmond is a gamble. Some years, like the "Snowpocalypse" of 2017, the town gets buried under feet of the white stuff. Other years, it’s just cold and brown. But the real story in any winter Redmond Oregon weather report is the ice.
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Because we have those massive temperature swings, we get a nasty cycle of melt and freeze. During the day, the intense high-altitude sun melts the top layer of snow. By 6:00 PM, that slush turns into a sheet of black ice. It’s treacherous. Locals know that even if the sky is clear, the roads are probably out to get you.
The wind is the other factor people forget. The "north wind" in Redmond is legendary. It blows down from the Columbia River Gorge and across the plateau, slicing right through the best Patagonia puffer jacket you own. It’s a dry, biting cold. If the forecast says 20°F but mentions a 15 mph wind, you’re looking at a wind chill that feels like single digits.
Why the Airport Forecast is Different
Here is a pro tip: The official weather station for Redmond is at the airport. Because the airport is located on a flat, exposed plateau outside the main hub of town, the readings can be skewed. It’s often windier and a few degrees colder at the terminal than it is if you’re tucked away near the canyon or downtown. If you’re checking the Redmond Oregon weather report to see if your flight will be delayed, pay attention to visibility and "vertical clearance" rather than just the temperature. Fog is a sneaky villain here, especially "ice fog" that can ground regional jets while the rest of the town is basking in clear sunlight.
Spring and the "Junuary" Phenomenon
Spring is a lie in Central Oregon. Sorry. You’ll have a week in April where it hits 70°F. You’ll see people out in Smith Rock State Park climbing in t-shirts. You’ll think, "Wow, winter is over!" Do not plant your tomatoes. Do not put away your heavy coat.
We call it "Junuary." It is very common to have a massive snowstorm in May or even the first week of June. The locals wait until after Father's Day to put anything sensitive in the ground. The Redmond Oregon weather report will tease you with "partly cloudy and 65," and then a cold front will drop down from Canada and ruin your weekend plans.
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This variability is why Redmond is the capital of "outdoor casual" fashion. If you see someone wearing socks with Birkenstocks and carrying a down vest while it’s sunny out, they aren't making a fashion statement. They’re being prepared. They know.
Summer Heat and the Smoke Factor
Summer is glorious, mostly. July and August are hot. It’s a dry heat, which feels much more manageable than the swampy humidity of the East Coast, but the sun is "closer" here. At 3,000 feet, you burn fast. If the Redmond Oregon weather report calls for 95°F, it feels like 105°F if you’re standing in direct light.
But there’s a catch. Fire season.
In the last decade, wildfire smoke has become a standard part of the summer forecast. It’s the one thing that can turn a perfect vacation into an indoor-only bummer. The Air Quality Index (AQI) becomes more important than the temperature. When the smoke settles into the basin, it lingers. The clear views of the mountains vanish, and the sun turns a weird, apocalyptic orange. If you're planning a trip, always check the smoke maps, not just the rain forecast.
How to Read the Report Like a Local
When you look at a Redmond Oregon weather report, stop looking at the "High" temperature. It doesn't tell the full story. Look at the "Low."
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The spread between the daily high and low is the most important metric for survival and comfort. A "Goldilocks" day in Redmond might be 80°F for a high and 40°F for a low. That is a 40-degree swing. If you leave the house at 8:00 AM in shorts, you will be miserable. If you leave in a parka and stay in it until noon, you’ll melt.
Also, look at the dew point. In Redmond, it’s usually incredibly low. This is why swamp coolers (evaporative coolers) actually work here, whereas they are useless in humid climates. It’s also why your hair will behave differently and why you need to carry lip balm in every pocket.
Practical Preparation Steps
To actually handle the Redmond climate, you need a specific kit.
- Sunscreen is non-negotiable: Even in winter. The snow reflection plus the altitude equals a scorched face in two hours.
- The "Three-Layer Rule": A moisture-wicking base, a fleece or wool mid-layer, and a windproof shell.
- Hydration Tabs: Plain water often isn't enough when you're dehydrating this fast. Drop an electrolyte tab in your bottle.
- Tires: If you're here between November and April, having "Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake" rated tires is better than just having M+S (Mud and Snow). The ice here doesn't care about your 4WD if your rubber is hard and slick.
- Moisturizer: Buy the heavy-duty stuff. The kind that comes in a tub, not a pump bottle.
Redmond is beautiful, rugged, and completely unpredictable. The weather isn't something that happens in the background; it's a participant in whatever you're doing. Whether you’re golfing at Eagle Crest or hiking the Misery Ridge trail at Smith Rock, the Redmond Oregon weather report is your roadmap. Respect the altitude, fear the June frost, and always, always keep a spare jacket in the trunk of your car.
Check the NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) site specifically for the Roberts Field station to get the most "unfiltered" data. Commercial weather apps often smooth out the extremes, but the raw data from the airport will tell you exactly how hard that north wind is kicking. Stay hydrated, keep your eyes on the horizon, and enjoy the cleanest air you've breathed in years—assuming the fires stay away.