With an average yearly temperature of 54 degrees, Eugene appears to have the perfect climate. And for the most part, this is true. But visiting in the winter can test even the toughtest. Rain season is late october through late May. Expect anything from a persistent drizzle to a frog-strangling winter storm, and when it lets up, a gray mist. If you're visiting for Eugene's arts and culture scene in the winter, bring an umbrella (though you'll see most locals bearing it unprotected). If you're interested in the outdoor day trips around Eugene, perhaps spring is the best season. Rivers are full with mountain run off, wildflowers cover surrounding hills, and rain is less likely. Summers are warm and dry, with mountian thunderstorms in the hottest months (July and August). The rain makes for green all year long on the western side of the mountains, so you can always expect spectacular views.  The ocean (closest at Florence, about an hour west on 2-lane Hwy 126) is  too cold to swim in year-round, so bring a wetsuit (and sunscreen in the summer), and always expect wind. The elements work on all levels in this part of the country, but this is what makes it one of the most lush, gorgeous, inspiring, and awe-inducing destinations.