Rainy, windy and mild conditions to start the week, possible record warmth

Bend, Ore (KTVZ).  An atmospheric river is flowing into the Pacific Northwest to start the week. Several counties west of Central Oregon are under a Flood Watch to start the week as persistent rain arrives. The rain will be steady and heavy at times in the Valley and Cascades and is likely to lead to rapid runoff pushing creeks, streams, and rivers to bank full. Although there has not been much snow this season, what has fallen will melt and the Cascades will provide a “double dip” of rain and snowmelt that will contribute to the flooding possibilities.

This rain will not make much of an impact on our Tri-Counties as the rain is not expected to make it this far east.  There will be rainy periods Tuesday and early Wednesday, but not much other than light to moderate rainfall.

Another feature that will be noticeable to start the week will be the wind. We will see winds around 15 – 20 mph today and tomorrow as the rain arrives, with gusts near 30 mph. Wind Advisories have been issued to our north and south, so although not officially in an advisory, we are still going to be windy. Keep the inflatable decorations down for a couple of days, they may be ‘relocated’ by the wind today and Tuesday.

The third feature this week will be the mild air. Temperatures are expected to be in the 60s starting Wednesday. Record highs are being approached an may fall this week as the warm ridge maintains a presence. 

The rain and the warmth combined this week in our forecast are bad news for the ski resorts. Opening days have been pushed back already, and most have listed “to be determined” as the timeframe for opening day.

The rain is expected to taper off by early Wednesday, but the warmer pattern will continue.

Please, Stay safe.

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