August was warmer, drier than average in Bend, Prineville

Temperatures in Bend and Prineville averaged warmer than normal in August, while precipitation for the month and year are below-average, according to preliminary data received by NOAA’s National Weather Service in Pendleton.

First, Bend’s summary (readings are taken at the Bend Airport, east of the city):

The average temperature was 65.8 degrees, which was 2 degrees above normal. High Temperatures averaged 83.5 degrees, which was 2.2 degrees above normal. The highest was 100 degrees on the 9th. Low temperatures averaged 48.1 degrees, which was 1.8 degrees above normal. The lowest was 38 degrees, on the 24th.

On seven days, the temperature exceeded 90 degrees. It was at least 100 degrees on just one day.

Precipitation totaled 0.19 inches during August, which was 0.29 inches below normal. Measurable precipitation – at least .01 inch – was received on one day.

Bend’s precipitation this year has reached 3.38 inches, which is 3.38 inches below normal. Since October, the water year precipitation for Bend has been 5.29 inches, which is 5.66 inches below normal.

The Bend outlook for September from NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center calls for near to above-normal temperatures and below-normal precipitation. Normal highs for Bend fall from 78 degrees at the start of September to 69 degrees at the end of September. Normal lows fall from 43 degrees to 36 degrees. The 30-year normal precipitation is 0.41 inches.

Here’s Prineville’s summary of data, also taken at the airport:

The average temperature was 68.2 degrees, which was 2.2 degrees above normal. High temperatures averaged 87 degrees, which was 1.6 degrees above normal. The highest was 103 degrees on the 9th. Low temperatures averaged 49.4 degrees, which was 2.8 degrees above normal. The lowest was 40 degrees, on the 25th.

On 11 days, the temperature exceeded 90 degrees. It was at least 100 degrees on 2 days.

Precipitation totaled 0.04 inches during August, which was 0.30 inches below normal. Measurable precipitation – at least .01 inch – was received on two days, with the heaviest, 0.03 inches reported on the 17th.

Prineville’s precipitation this year has reached 4.46 inches, which is 2.39 inches below normal. Since October, the water year precipitation at Prineville has been 5.37 inches, which is 4.93 inches below normal.

The outlook for September from NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center calls for near-normal temperatures and below-normal precipitation. Normal highs for Prineville fall from 82 degrees at the start of September to 73 degrees at the end of September. Normal lows fall from 44 degrees to 36 degrees. The 30-year normal precipitation is 0.38 inches.