Wet start to the weekend, Flash Flood Watch today

Today will start out rainy with the soaking and beneficial rain falling on the parched soil. This type of rain is just what we need, since the grasses and other plants are so dry. This slow soaking rain much better than the heavy rains associated with strong storms as that rain overtakes an area and quickly runs off.  The heavy runoff does get into creeks and reservoirs, but the overall benefit of slow, soaking rain is much better for the region. Highs will only reach the middle to upper 70s in the cloudy and rainy conditions.

The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Watch for the area shaded in green. Basically, the burn scars from last years fires are compromised by the lack of vegetation. This lack of ground cover will is susceptible to debris flows and landslides. I have placed the footprints of last years wildfires inside the perimeter of the watch and that is where the chance for a flash flood, debris flow or landslide is more likely.

The rain will taper off by the middle of the afternoon and migrate east. As the line of showers exits Central Oregon the energy intensifies and some thunderstorms are possible in Eastern Oregon late in the afternoon and early evening.  

Sunday will be partly to mostly cloudy with a slight chance for a late day storm to pop up. The highs on Sunday will be in the low 80s and winds will be variable at around 10 – 12mph.

Monday will see the mercury in the thermometer rise to the middle 80s as some lingering cloud cover remains.  Some spotty light rain may fall in a few spots, but generally the dry pattern is expected to return.

Sunny and dry Tuesday and Wednesday with highs in the middle to upper 80s. The latter portion of the work week will be hot and dry with highs in the low 90s.

Stay safe.

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