Fog socks in the basins, mountain snow returns late Friday
Bend, Ore (KTVZ) – Once again the area is being plagued by the fog that has settled into the basins across Central Oregon. The fog and mist persist today and will keep the temperatures from rising much above the low 40s. The moisture introduced to the region from the massive complex in California has taken over and although we did not get any rain or snow, the fog is here.
Thursday will be another day with the hope of above normal temperatures under partly cloudy skies. There may be a problem with the sunshine if the fog lingers through the rest of the week. Currently the forecast has Central Oregon with highs near 50 Thursday and Friday and a mix of clouds and sunshine. Light winds and high pressure overhead might keep the fog in for the rest of the week.
This season has been challenging to forecast as the stagnation of the pattens and the warmer than normal days along with the available moisture. There have been several weeks this season with foggy weather along 97 and blue skies overhead. Most expect this to be a coastal pattern, with a decent marine layer, but it has been the rule this season east of the Cascades and below 1000 feet.
Friday will be partly to mostly cloudy with highs in the low 50s. There will be a major shift in the pattern as we head into the weekend as snow returns to the Cascades. The snow will arrive after sunset and linger into the early morning hours of Saturday. This will provide a few more inches of snow to the parched pinnacles of the Cascades.
Saturday, Valentine’s Day, will see periods of rain and snow during the day with little accumulation. The roads will be slick, and the visibility impaired slightly as the snow and rain mix.
Sunday will be a mostly cloudy day as we await more snow and rain on President’s Day. This pattern of rain mixed with snow will persist for several days. The highs each afternoon will be in the 40s, so cold rain is likely, then overnight we drop below freezing so it becomes snow. The precipitation will not be constant obviously, but off and on. This will vary from daytime to nighttime.
Bottom line, expect the off and on afternoon cold rain and overnight mix of rain and snow will last through next weekend starting Monday.
Please, Stay safe.
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