Breezy and hot today, cooler over the weekend

Bend, Ore (KTVZ) – Sunny and breezy conditions today and Thursday as the region prepares for a cool down. The highs today will be well above normal as the mercury in the thermometer will rise into the 90s once again. Less hot weather conditions are slated for Thursday as the high pressure responsible for the heat shifts east and a low off the coast moves closer.

The winds on Thursday will be noticeable but not overwhelming. Gusts near 20 mph will be common and the winds in the Columbia River Gorge will be closer to 30 but the cooler air will keep Central Oregon under the fire weather restrictions.

The cool down continues into the weekend as the low moves across the border between the United States and Canada. This movement will keep the area in the low 80 on Friday and the upper 70s on Saturday. The overall pattern will be shifting toward a cooler regime for the weekend making it feel more like fall.

This is the last weekend of summer as the meteorological summer ends on Monday August 31^st and the meteorological autumn begins on the 1^st of September. As a reminder, the meteorological summer is defined by the three warmest months of the year, June, July and August due to more accurate record keeping. The astronomical autumn begins on the Autumnal Equinox and this year is at 5:05 pm September 22^nd.  That is when the direct rays of the sun are over the equator.

As for the forecast on the last day of summer 2026, we will see mostly sunny skies and highs in the middle 80s.

Tuesday, Central Oregon has a chance for some rain to arrive in the morning. Soft and soaking rains would be a welcomed change to the dry and parched pattern of summer. The forecast that far out is usually subject to significant changes, but at the moment it does look like some scattered showers are possible. Following the rainy day, which may or may not happen, I am confident that temperature readings will return to the 70s after mid-week.

There is also a partial lunar eclipse Thursday night that will linger past midnight. It will begin around 7:30 pm and last for about five hours. 96% of the moon will be in the shadow of the Earth close to 9:30 local time. Fairly good viewing in Central Oregon, unfortunately the moon will be low in the sky, but still visible.

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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