Showers keep temps down; winds increase fire danger

The rainy day has helped the region, as far as oppressively hot weather. The temps are significantly cooler, as the showers and cloud cover suppress the rise in temperatures to levels well above normal.  Still possible to see temps in the very warm to almost hot range in spots, but not as widespread as our previous few days.

The issue for us to be concerned about now is the chance for some wildfire ignition and then growth. The showers today are pleasant (in my opinion), but if we see some lightning with them, it may be problematic.  Gusty winds accompany storms, so if a cloud to ground lightning strike occurs, there is a chance for a fire. The winds will fan that flame and expand the blaze.  A Red Flag Warning (currently referred to as a Fire Weather Warning) has been issued for Deschutes, Crook and Jefferson Counties and is in place until Friday evening. Refer to the banner above for updates and more detailed info as it does change.

The Air Quality is also a concern. Although the rain has suppressed the smoke in some area, and the air quality is significantly better than yesterday, we are still looking at unhealthy air in pockets.   The wildfires to our west are expected to burn for many days to come, but it is the winds that we focus on for our smoky pattern.  Currently, the forecast is calling for west winds to arrive on Friday, bringing a return to the smoky pattern in Central Oregon.

Stay safe, stay informed.

Also, there is a Major Hurricane in the Eastern Pacific, Hilary, and the forecast has this cyclone moving north along the California Baja coast and then inland across California. The current track has the remnants of Hilary crossing into the Great Basin on Monday and getting dissipated. There may still be some rainy weather in Oregon Tuesday from what is left of Hilary. Still several days out, but I will be monitoring this event closely.

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