Orange Agricultural Institute is situated in the Central Tablelands of NSW at an elevation of 922m. Weather records date from 1976 to the present and show a narrower band than the earlier records from the Orange Post Office 1907 – 1965. Although from a later period, the OAI temperature records provide an indication of the affect of higher altitude. This affect is continued on the higher altitude horticultural areas on the slopes of Mount Canobolas. The relatively cool district climate suits viticulture and other deciduous fruits with winter chilling normally exceeding 1200 hours.

Total annual rainfall in the district also varies with altitude and topography but averages around 900mm with lesser rainfall during autumn. Snow usually falls in the district several times each winter.