Showers arrive early Saturday, storms possible Sunday
(Bend, Ore) KTVZ. Plenty of sunshine today and significantly cooler pattern has begun. The cooler flow of air arriving from the northwest is also going to be changing the dry pattern into a much wetter one.
Friday will be another dry start with a few clouds present but overall, a sunny and mild start. As the day moves along there will an increase in the cloud cover, but no rain is expected. Friday will be what I often refer to as the “set up day” ahead of a rainy day.
The atmosphere has been very dry over the past several days and it will take some time for the lower levels of the atmosphere to “moisten up.” Often times we see rain falling from the base of the clouds, but evaporating before it hits the surface in the dry air. Once the air is saturated enough, the rain falls freely to the ground. The saturation of the lower levels will begin late Friday, ahead of the rain expected to fall to the ground Saturday morning.
The rain Saturday will be a welcomed site as it will be soft and light, allowing the ground to soak it in verses running off. The amount of rain will not be all that impressive, maybe about a quarter of an inch regionwide, but it is something.
Sunday will be a bit more concerning with respect to the rainfall, as storms are more likely, not showers.
The storms are currently on track to fall east of the Tri-Counties, and may be strong to severe. The exact track of the cells has yet to be etched in stone, but we are going to hear the rumble of thunder Sunday, and eastern Crook and southeastern Deschutes will be close to the activity. I will fine tune this forecast as we get closer to Sunday.
Once the storms exit the region Sunday afternoon and evening, there may be some lingering rain on Monday. The general pattern then shifts back to dry and warm.
Highs over the weekend will be in the upper 70s Saturday and low 80s Sunday.
Stay safe.
Don’t forget to download the KTVZ weather app to stay safe and informed.
iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ktvz-local-alert-weather-app/id1088330817
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ktvz.android.weather&hl=en_US
