East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1913-09-12
(By Edgar f. Averill. Special Metero-
logical Observer

logical Observer)
When the first white men came to
Oregon a century ago and landed in
Umatilla county in the midst of win
ter they were Immediately and force
ably impressed with the mild clim-
ate. Having been travelling for weeks
and months through snow-covered
territory their notes show that as they
passed over the divide of the Blue
mountains they came into country
whose sloping hilI and undulating
plains were barren of snow but COW
cred with grass more than knee high |
TO their horses. For many days they
had been subsisting chiefly on dog
meat but now they were able to lind
a most agreeable change for game In
abundance. both birds and deer were
found and killed as the party made
its way down Meacham creek.
The same story Is told in the diar-
les OF all the early arrivals In oregon
and the fame OF the climate to be
found In the valley OF the Umatilla
spread far and wide. Then came the
department OF agriculture with Its
weather bureau and the records of a
quarter of century bear out the
statements OF the pioneers.
Umatila county is not land of per
petual sunshine. 1t is not land
where frosts are unknown. No one
claims the wind never blows or the
rain never falls except when it Is
wanted or always when II Is needed
but II Is claimed and claimed with
justice that all four of the seasons
are enjoyed, not endured, here, that
the winters are exceptionally mild for
n country OF this altitude and eleva-
ton and that Its summers are more
endurabie than those OF most any
other section OF the United States.
The topography of the country
seems to be the principal climate de-
termining factor In oregon. 1t Is
therefore believed that the Blue
mountains which lie along the east
ern border OF the county are largely
responsible for the amount OF rain
fall received and for the tempera-
lures experienced Some geologists
think this range of mountains was, at
one time, an island and that this is
land was the second one TO appear on
the Pacific coast. the first being the
CLShlyOu HlouHAalAlHs lsihh poAbs ."
southern Oregon and partly In Cali
fornia. The general trend OF the Blue
Mountains is from the northeast
toward the southwest, but many Off
shoots and spurs extend TO the east
and south OF the main ridge. and the
whole mass Is broken by large and
small valleys, passe and canyons
which make the system rugged in
character as well as irregular in shape.
Forests cover the mountains to
their summit while the foothills and
valleys are bare OF trees, except along
the banks of the rivers and streams
which drain the western slopes. Here
the black cottonwood Is plentiful.
The most common trees In the noun
tains are the yellow and black pine,
Fir and spruce.
In its essential features the climate
OF this part of eastern Oregon Is much
the same, its chief characteristics be-
ing large ranges in temperature, low
absolute humidity. rapid evaporation
and an abundance OF sunshine. The
variations which take place are due
TO topography. marked differences in
rainfall and temperature frequently
pTeNallluB lH piaStS itAapN'is h'oi
each other. The air from a hygienic
standpoint is stimulating and health
full, and although summer tempera-
ture OF 100 degrees are not uncom-
mon, sunstrokes are practically un-
known on account of the dryness of
the air which permits evaporation to-
take place freely. thereby lowering
the surface temperature of perspir.
ing humanity by several degrees.
Disagreeably strong winds are not
unknown here during the daytime.
These are said by the weather bureau
men to be due TO the strong insola-
tlon in the. plateau section of eastern
oregon, which promote active convec-
tional currents and these in turn in
crease the velocity of the wind These
conditions are reversed at night when
the air is usually calm and always
cool
The summer rainfall Is nearly al
ways associated with light thunder
storms which do no damage but serve
to cool and clarity the atmosphere.
Cold waves are infrequent but when