LOCAL ALERT WEATHER DAY:  Hot and smoky pattern will impact your plans

Bend, Ore (KTVZ) – The Local Alert Weather Team has issued a Local Alert Weather Day due to the smoke and heat today. The mercury in the thermometer will peak near 100 degrees this afternoon. When you factor in the smoke from the area wildfires, it will impact your outdoor plans. If you do go outside take precautions, like wearing an N95 mask, or limit your time outside.

The smoke is impacting Central Oregon for the past few days is a result of the numerous wildfires in the region. Three weeks ago, a number of wildfires started as a result of thousands of lightning strikes across the region. As the fires get contained and suppressed, the fire is not nearly as hot, so the smoke is generated by smoldering stumps and such that are inside the perimeter of the fire. That smoke is not easily lifted very high in the sky and tends to hover closer to the surface. The smoldering embers and lack of lift create more low-level smoke. There are more reasons for the poor air quality, but this isn’t helping.

As for the heat, a large ridge of high pressure is expanding west from the desert southwest. This feature is providing the heat and clear skies that allow the mercury to reach the upper 90s. Not all that uncommon in August, but when we have all this smoke, it becomes an issue for those with respiratory problems as well as the elderly and the very young.  The Local Alert Weather Day brings this awareness to the front of the line so we can all stay safe.

Friday will be another hot and smoky day, with highs in the upper 90s once again. The smoke my not be as impactful, so the Alert Day is not issued for Friday at this time.

Saturday will be slightly cooler, but still above the normal high for early August by about 10-degrees. Highs will be in the middle 90s verses the normal middle 80s. Breezy conditions are expected to return to the area Saturday and the National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for NW Jefferson County and points north and east. This is for the very dry air, dry fuel and winds around 20 mph at times. The current fires are at risk for spreading rapidly so the suppression efforts today and tomorrow are getting the impact zones ready for the wind. New fire starts will spread quickly as it does take time to get the resources on scene quickly as they are spread out across the Pacific Northwest.

Sunday will see the temperatures readings in the afternoon in the upper 80s and low 90s. Still above normal but trending cooler.

Please be aware of the smoke and heat today, stay indoors as much as you can and stay safe.

Please, Stay safe and smart.

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