Sunny, dry and mild today as we close out Summer 2024.

There is a ridge of high pressure off the coast that will continue to build and block. What I mean by that is the high will act as a blocking force for any rainy or cloudy weather to impact Central Oregon as the air builds under the dome. This time of year, when the sun angle is low and the daylight hours will shortly be less than the nighttime, it is hard to warm up.  

Normally this time of year the afternoon high temperature tops out in the low 70s, which is what is likely today. Winds are expected to arrive generally from the north and northwest. Sunday will be above normal as the ridge builds, even though the air is arriving from the north, which is typically cooler, the air under the dome will be warming. Highs will be in the upper 70s.

Monday will be very similar to Sunday with highs approaching 80 and mostly sunny.  A few high clouds may drift overhead, but no rain is expected. 

Moving into the first week of Fall we should be warmer than normal. Highs will top out in the 80s Tuesday and Wednesday.  It may be tough to get to 80 on Wednesday as there is also a slight chance for some light rain. The rain may arrive after the peak heating, but cloudy skies ahead of the possible light rain will inhibit the heating process. Adjustments will continue as we get closer to Wednesday.

The first day of Fall 2024 begins tomorrow morning.  At 5:44 am the direct rays of the Sun will be over the equator, the Autumnal Equinox.  At that time there will be equal parts daylight and darkness. Also, on that day and we begin our journey toward winter as the days will be shorter than the nights until next Spring. 

If you overthink it, the equal days and darkness line is a little misleading.  Taking a look at the sunrise and sunset times for Sunday…  6:53 am – 7:01 pm, it is not exactly equal parts daylight and darkness. But, the sunrise and sunset times are based on the crown of the sun breaching the horizon for sunrise, and the crown of the sun dropping below the horizon for sunset.  The equinox is calculated by the center of the sun breaching the horizon for sunrise (approximately 6:57 am), and the center of the sun crossing the horizon at sunset (approximately 6:57 pm).

There are also theories about of the light bending, the elliptical orbit, the non-spherical earth and a few others. I like the center of the sun crossing the horizon, it makes sense and the math works out each equinox, Autumnal and Vernal.

Stay Safe

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