Bend’s, Prineville’s stormy May warmer, wetter than normal

Thanks in large part to those frequent thunderstorms, Bend and Prineville both had warmer and wetter than normal conditions in May, according to preliminary data released Monday by NOAA’s National Weather Service in Pendleton.

Bend’s average temperature last month was 53.4 degrees, which was 3 degrees above normal. High temperatures averaged 66.5 degrees, which was 1.9 degrees above normal. The highest reading was 83 degrees on the 12th. Lows averaged 40.3 degrees, which was 4 degrees above normal. The lowest temperature was 30 degrees, on the 1st.

There were two May days with Bend’s low temperature below 32 degrees.

Precipitation totaled 1.91 inches during May, which was 1.02 inches above normal. Measurable precipitation — at least .01 inch — was received on eight days in Bend, with the heaviest, an inch, reported on the 20th.

Precipitation in Bend so far this year has reached 8.71 inches, which is 3.69 inches above normal. Since October, the water year precipitation at Bend has been 11.25 inches, which is 2.04 inches above normal.

The outlook for June from NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center calls for above-normal temperatures and near to below-normal precipitation. Normal highs for Bend rise from 69.0 degrees at the start of June to 77.0 degrees at the end of June. Normal lows rise from 40.0 degrees to 45.0 degrees. The 30-year normal precipitation is 0.70 inches.

Meanwhile, temperatures at Prineville averaged slightly warmer than normal in May while precipitation was about double the average for the month.

May’s average temperature was 55.4 degrees, 1.5 degrees above normal. Highs averaged 69.2 degrees, which was 0.7 degrees above normal. The highest was 84 degrees on the 12th. Lows averaged 41.5 degrees, which was 2.3 degrees above normal. The lowest was 27 degrees, on the 1st.

Prineville had three days with the low temperature below 32 degrees.

Precipitation in Prineville totaled 2.40 inches during May, which was 1.23 inches above normal. Measurable precipitation — at least .01 inch — was received on 10 days with the heaviest, 0.76 inches reported on the 26th.

Precipitation this year has reached 8.38 inches, which is 3.35 inches above normal. Since October, the water year precipitation at Prineville has been 10.58 inches, which is 2.10 inches above normal.

Prineville’s outlook for June from NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center calls for above-normal temperatures and near to below-normal precipitation. Normal highs for Prineville rise from 72 degrees at the start of June to 81 degrees at the end of June. Normal lows rise from 43 degrees to 46 degrees. The 30-year normal precipitation is 0.92 inches.