Cooler conditions today, still above normal, still dry

The temperatures will fluctuate over the next several days as cold air migrates into the region, then retreats.  The temperature readings yesterday were near 90, to day we will be in the 70s. Often times the cooler pattern after a warmer one may see some rain develop, but there is very little moisture in the atmosphere this week, so any temperature variations will occur with little to no rain.

That will be the case on Friday as well as another cold front slides through.  The rain will be west of the region, along the coast and on the west face of the Cascades, but should “rain out” by the time it gets to the high desert. That is the nature of the desert, but it would be nice to get a bit of rain as we have been very dry the past several months.  We are only at about 21% of normal for rainfall in the region dating back to June.

The warm air Tuesday gave rise to more active wildfire behavior over the Cascades.  The lack of rain, temperatures in the upper 80s and some breezy conditions allowed for fuels inside the perimeter of the Little Lava and Young Grasshopper fires to flare up. Smaller fires along the crest of the mountains also increased in activity, so the air quality in southern Deschutes County was in the very unhealthy to hazardous range late yesterday and overnight.  This will be monitored aggressively today with respect to wind flow and smoke transportation.  The winds today will take most of the smoke from the Cascades away from populated areas today, but looks to transport the smoke east on Thursday, bringing more to the 97 highway cities. 

The weekend looks to be dry and mild with highs in the 70s and mostly sunny. That pattern will linger into the beginning of next week.

Stay Safe

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