Tracking a Mid-Week Soak: High Confidence for Rain and Mountain Snow across Central Oregon

CENTRAL OREGON — We are officially in the thick of a spring weather transition. While the morning started off relatively calm, we are tracking a series of systems moving into the High Desert that will bring everything from valley rain to mountain snow across the Tri-County region over the next 72 hours.

The Immediate Outlook: A Damp Start

For those in Bend, Redmond, Madras, and Prineville, the rain is here to stay for the remainder of your Sunday. We are looking at a 70% chance of precipitation through this evening with highs topping out in the lower 50s.

Monday will offer a brief "breather" with mostly cloudy skies and only a 20% chance of a stray shower, but don't let the break fool you—the biggest shift is still on the horizon.

Travel Alert: Mountain Pass Conditions

If your travel plans take you through Sisters, La Pine, or Sunriver, stay weather-aware. We're monitoring a rain-snow mix for the East Slopes of the Cascades.

• Tonight: Expect up to two inches of snow accumulation in higher elevations.
• Visibility: Gusts up to 30 mph could make for tricky driving conditions on the passes through Monday morning.

The Main Event: Near 100% Chance of Rain Wednesday

The most significant data point in our forecast today is Wednesday. We have pinpointed a powerful system arriving Tuesday night that will bring a near 100% chance of precipitation to the entire region.

This system is expected to bring heavy rain to the basin and moderate snow to the mountains. By Wednesday night, temperatures will plummet into the mid-to-upper 20s, meaning we could see those rain showers turn into a snow mix even at lower elevations before Thursday morning.

The Weekend Reward

There is light at the end of the tunnel. Once the Wednesday system clears out, a ridge of high pressure will finally take hold.

• Thursday & Friday: We will see a return to clear, crisp blue skies.
• Saturday: I’m happy to report a beautiful warmup, with sunny conditions and highs finally climbing back into the lower 60s.

Keep an eye on the mountain passes if you're traveling this week, and stay tuned to our weather page for the latest radar and timing updates on Wednesday's system. Stay safe out there, Central Oregon!

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