Dry, sunny and mild pattern to close out February

There is a ridge of high pressure overhead that is keeping the Pacific Northwest clear and dry.  This ridge is also allowing milder than normal air to migrate into the region as we are about 20° above our normal temperature of 48° for this time of year. Today we broke three records and tied two, the Bend record was set almost 100 years ago, and we tied that mark this afternoon.

Tomorrow may be another "record breaking" day as we close out the month of February with temperatures more reminiscent of late May.

The ridge is currently not ready to move east or break down until Saturday, so this mild and dry weather will return Friday.  February ends on the mild side with temps more reminiscent of late May afternoon.

The “transition day” will be Saturday as clouds move in as the day moves along.  The clouds will yield some light rain and mountain snow on Sunday, off and on.  The snow and rain are not expected to be all that robust, but the clouds and the moisture will cool the atmosphere back to near normal levels with respect to temperatures. The timing of this event is going to hinge on how easily the ridge breaks down.  Seems reasonable that Sunday will be cloudy and the rain and snow will arrive by morning.

Monday will see some lingering showers, but the moisture will not be around much more than early morning. After the rain and snow exit there should be a relatively quiet pattern the rest of the week. I expect to see some stray or passing showers over the Cascades by mid-week, but nothing overwhelming.

The temperature profile will be near normal starting Sunday, and not change much through the first week of March.

This meteorological spring will begin on a mild note, coming in like a lamb, not a lion. There is a proverb, “March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb” which is the result of the climatological patterns during the month of March. The transition from winter to spring often brings windy and wild weather to most areas of the country. Rowdy weather patterns to close out the winter season and mild ones to start spring.  No real meteorological value, much like the groundhog, but still fun to keep track of. Looks like it will be a lamb to start the season this year.

Please stay safe.

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