Above normal temperatures through the weekend and into next week

Bend, Ore (KTVZ) – The warmer than normal conditions will persist through the weekend. Highs will approach or cross the 90° mark through at least a week. The normal high for mid-July is around the low to middle 80s.

The dry and hot weather only increases the threat of rapid wildfire spread if a fire starts. Be aware of all burn bans and restrictions.

Saturday will see the mercury in the thermometer reach 90 under mostly sunny skies. An area of high pressure is located across the Rocky Mountains and will provide us with a warm flow of air around the periphery of the heat dome.

An area of low pressure off the coast of Western Canada is going to drop south slightly this weekend but will not be deep enough to overtake the ridge. The low will provide a few clouds to Central Oregon over the weekend, but generally our pattern does not call for any storms to develop until next week.

Sunday will be partly cloudy and the highs may not breach the 90-degree mark. Upper 80s are expected, so it will still be well above our seasonal norms.

Monday may be the first day in a while that some light rain is possible.  There will be a chance for a passing shower, but since the lower levels of the atmosphere are so dry, we may not see any rain arrive at the surface.

Tuesday will still be hot with highs in the low 90s, but a chance for an isolated storm is in the cards.  Isolated afternoon pop up storms are possible, so if you are out and about, stay alert for the rumble of thunder and take the appropriate cover.

We dry out Wednesday and stay hot with highs in the low 90s once again. Thursday and Friday will be similar with highs in the low 90s and mostly sunny skies.

The latest Drought Monitor has been released and there is not good new for Central Oregon. The Extreme Drought Category has expanded now to include a good section of Jefferson County and higher coverage in Deschutes and Crook Counties.

Deschutes County went from 30% last week to 60% coverage this week. Crook County was at 50% last week and is now at 67% while Jefferson went from 5% to 45% with respect to the extreme conditions. Water levels in reservoirs are low and being managed to restrict usage to conserve water. Crops are impacted as well as the fire danger that persists.

The long-term prognosis of the drought is that it will persist for at least the near term.  The forecast is not favorable for any improvement as we are going to continue our dry and hot weather conditions though the next week or more.

Please, Stay safe and smart.

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