Precipitation increases and heat records are broken in 2024

The National Weather Service has released theirs Annual climate report 2024and it shows that Eugene received well above average precipitation while also recording its warmest July on record.

In 2024, 45.20 inches of rain fell in Eugene, which was more than 4 inches above the normal rainfall of 40.83 inches. Still, only two days set new daily rainfall totals for specific dates: February 29 with 1.15 inches and May 3 with 1.31 inches.

While daily warm temperature records were matched in January (69 degrees on January 28), May (88 degrees on May 11) and October (79 degrees on October 12), July turned out to be the hottest on record. Five new daily high temperatures were recorded in July on consecutive days beginning on July 5th and peaking at 106 on July 9th. This five-day heat wave represented the longest streak of days over 100 ever seen in Eugene, surpassing the previous record of four days in a streak over 100, which was last recorded in 2023.

Other notable weather events from 2024 include January ice storm that swept across the region, killing 15 people. Temperatures plummeted 15-20 degrees below normal between January 12 and 16 after a very strong Arctic front moved into the Pacific Northwest. A mix of snow and sleet, along with freezing rain, created ice accumulations of up to an inch. The thick ice led to slippery roads, downed trees and massive power outages in the Willamette Valley. In January alone, the 10.73 inches of precipitation recorded in Eugene was more than 4.5 inches above normal.

The US Winter Outlook released by the National Weather Service in October 2024 predicted the development of a weak La Niña weather pattern. In the Pacific Northwest, La Niña typically brings a cooler winter with increased precipitation.