Last few days of winter will be “spring-like”, which begins on Friday

Bend, Ore (KTVZ) - The mercury in the thermometer is going to hit the 70s this week as a strong ridge of high pressure takes over the west. The normal highs for this week are around the low 50s; we should hit the 70s each day of the work week. The ridge that will keep us warm will also keep us dry.

Tuesday is St. Patrick’s Day, and the luck of the Irish will be with you if you like the warmer weather. If you are still hopeful of hanging on to winter, this will not be your lucky day.  Highs will reach the low 70s under partly cloudy skies and light winds. The highs across the Cascades will be in the upper 50s.

The warmth this week will be close to record levels as records for Bend and Redmond will be approached. The best chance to re-write the record books is Thursday, the last day of winter. The record high in Bend is 76 from 1916 is in jeopardy as I am forecasting 77.

Most locations this week will hit the 70s, except for Sisters which should only top out in the upper 60s.

Friday is the Vernal Equinox, which is when the direct rays of the sun are over the equator. This will occur at 7:46 am Friday which will start the Astronomical Spring.  This season is defined by the relationship between the earth and the sun. The Meteorological Spring is defined by temperatures and is used by scientists for record keeping.  Starting Friday the daylight hours will exceed the nighttime hours, or simply put, more daylight than darkness.

The weather this week will be more like June than March. June has normal highs in the 70s all month.

There may be some increasing cloud cover Friday before we see some light rain on Saturday for a brief period. Highs this weekend will still be above normal as we will see upper 50s and low 60s.

Please, Stay safe.

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