Red Flag Warning Saturday for breezy and dry conditions

Bend, Ore (KTVZ) – A Heat Advisory has been issued by the National Weather Service for most of Central Oregon and through the Columbia River Basin east of the Cascades. The cloud cover today has limited much of the heating process, so we are in the low-end criteria for the Advisory. The chance for an isolated thunderstorm is not off the table, but chances are less than 10% in the region.

The other feature of this forecast package is the Red Flag Warning issued for Saturday from noon until 10 pm.  Once again, we are in the low end of the spectrum for the warning as winds will be in the 10 – 15 mph range and gust to around 20 mph. There is still plenty of dry fuel around that can go up quickly and therefore any breeze will spread a fire rapidly. The Red Flag Warning is justified for the region, but the more robust winds will be closer to the Columbia River Basin.

Saturday expect to see highs in the upper 80s with breezy to gusty winds at times. There will be some lingering cloud cover early in the day, but mostly sunny skies are likely after the noon hour.

Sunday will be warm and dry with highs in the middle 80s under mostly sunny skies.  Winds will be less robust than Saturday but we still need to be aware of the dry conditions. Any fires that do start will spread rapidly, even without breezy weather.

Monday kicks off the last full week of the Meteorological Summer in the upper 80s.  The warmer than normal pattern continues into Tuesday as temperatures will reach the middle to upper 80s as well. Normal for late August should see highs in the low 80s and lows in the upper 40s.

Wednesday some clouds move in late in the day and there is a chance for some rain to our northwest.  Central Oregon is not expected to get any rain, which is desperately needed, for at least the next week.

Thanks to all the fire fighters and construction contractors that have been on the front lines this summer.  A brutal fight this year, and a dangerous one, thank you for all you do.

Please, Stay safe and smart.

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