Bend’s May that ended in stormy fashion was warmer, wetter than usual

Prineville also a bit warmer than usual; Bend precipitation this year rises close to normal, but still low for the water year

PENDLETON, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Bend's May, which ended with severe weekend thunderstorms across the region, already was set to be warmer and wetter than usual, the National Weather Service said Monday.

According to preliminary data received by NWS-Pendleton, temperatures at Bend Airport averaged warmer than normal during the month of May.

 The average temperature was 53.1 degrees, which was 2.7 degrees above normal. High temperatures averaged 67.8 degrees, which was 3.2 degrees above normal. The highest was 91 degrees on the 30th.

Low temperatures averaged 38.5 degrees, which was 2.2 degrees above normal. The lowest was 27 degrees, on the 4th.

There were five days with the low temperature below 32 degrees. On one day, the temperature exceeded 90 degrees.

Bend's precipitation totaled 2.00 inches during May, which was 1.11 inches above normal. Measurable precipitation - at least .01 inch - was received on nine days, with the heaviest, 0.40 inches, reported on the 31st.

Precipitation this year has reached 5.00 inches, which is just 0.02 inches below normal. Since October, the water year precipitation at Bend has been 6.40 inches, which is 2.81 inches below normal.

The outlook for June from NOAA's Climate Prediction Center calls for near normal temperatures and near to above normal precipitation. Normal highs for Bend rise from 69.0 degrees at the start of June to 77.0 degrees at the end of June. Normal lows rise from 40.0 degrees to 45.0 degrees. The 30 year normal precipitation is 0.70 inches.

Temperatures at Prineville Airport also averaged slightly warmer than normal during the month of May.

The average temperature was 55.6 degrees, which was 1.8 degrees above normal. High Temperatures averaged 70.0 degrees, which was 1.5 degrees above normal. The highest was 89 degrees on the 30th. Low temperatures averaged 41.3 degrees, which was 2.1 degrees above normal. The lowest was 28 degrees, on the 4th.

Prineville had three days with the low temperature below 32 degrees.

Prineville's precipitation totaled 2.35 inches during May, which was 1.18 inches above normal. Measurable precipitation -at least .01 inch- was received on 12 days with the heaviest, 0.61 inches reported on the 19th.

  Prineville precipitation this year has reached 5.15 inches, which is 0.12 inches above normal. Since October, the water year precipitation at Prineville has been 6.71 inches, which is 1.77 inches below normal.