NWS: Bend’s warm April was second-wettest on record

B end was warmer and wetter than normal in April — in fact, the second-wettest April in more than a century of record-keeping, according to preliminary data received by NOAA’s National Weather Service in Pendleton, released Wednesday.

The average temperature recorded at the Bend Airport was 46.9 degrees, which was 3.4 degrees above normal.

High temperatures averaged 58.8 degrees, which was 2.1 degrees above normal. The highest was 77 degrees on the 18th. Low temperatures averaged 35 degrees, which was 4.6 degrees above normal. The lowest was 24 degrees, on the 28th.

There were nine days with the low temperature below 32 degrees, NWS reported.

Bend’s precipitation totaled 2.26 inches during April, which was 1.48 inches above normal. Measurable precipitation – at least .01 inch – was received on 10 days with the heaviest, 0.53 inches, reported on the 2nd.

The city’s precipitation this year has reached 6.8 inches, which is 2.67 inches above normal. Since October, the water year precipitation at Bend has been 9.34 inches, which is 1.02 inches above normal.

NWS said this was Bend’s second-wettest April on record. The wettest was 2.43 inches, recorded in 1904.

The outlook for May from NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center calls for above-normal temperatures and below-normal precipitation.

Normal highs for Bend rise from 61 degrees at the start of May to 68 degrees at the end of the month. Normal lows rise from 33 degrees to 40 degrees. The 30-year average precipitation is 0.89 inches.

NWS also released an April climate summary for Prineville, which also was warmer than normal for the month.

Prineville’s average temperature was 48.6 degrees, which was 2.0 degrees above normal. High Temperatures averaged 61.4 degrees, which was 0.6 degrees above normal. The highest was 78 degrees on the 19th. Low temperatures averaged 35.9 degrees, which was 3.4 degrees above normal. The lowest was 24 degrees, on the 28th.

There were five days with the low temperature below 32 degrees.

Prineville’s precipitation totaled 1.09 inches during April, which was 0.22 inches above normal. Measurable precipitation – at least .01 inch – was received on 12 days, with the heaviest, 0.29 inches reported on the 9th.

Precipitation in Prineville this year has reached 5.98 inches, which is 2.12 inches above normal. Since October, the water year precipitation at Prineville has been 8.18 inches, which is 0.87 inches above normal.

The outlook for May from NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center calls for above-normal temperatures and below-normal precipitation. Normal highs for Prineville rise from 65 degrees at the start of May to 72 degrees at the end of May. Normal lows rise from 35 degrees to 43 degrees. The-30 year normal precipitation is 1.17 inches.

The National Weather Service is an office of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, an agency of the U.S. Commerce Department.