Red Flag Warning Wednesday, increased fire danger, breezy and above normal temperatures this week

Bend, Ore (KTVZ) – A ridge of high pressure well off the coast is continuing to dominate our overall weather pattern here in Central Oregon. The temperatures are expected to hit the upper 80s and low 90s today with some gusty winds late in the afternoon.

This is what we are tracking today,

The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for tomorrow from 11am to 9pm. Most of the area is under this alert due to breezy conditions as well as very dry air and dry fuel.  The winds will be in the 10 – 15 mph range tomorrow and gust to 25 mph at times so any fire that starts will spread rapidly. Although the temperatures will not be in the 90s tomorrow, they are still well above normal, which is around 75.

Wind, albeit less, and dry weather will linger into Thursday so our fire danger is still a concern. Highs will be in the upper 80s again, but some clouds are expected to arrive late in the day. An area of low pressure is expected to develop in Northern California which will provide some cloud cover overnight into Friday.

Friday may see some light rain and isolated thunderstorms in southern Deschutes and Crook Counties in the afternoon.  The low in California will track southeast of the Tri-Counties and may bring some precipitation our way. Very low chance, around 10 – 15%, but may produce some dry lightning, which is never a good thing here in the summer.

Saturday and Sunday will see highs in the low to middle 80s under mostly sunny skies. Still above normal and still dry.

It is now officially “Wildfire Season” in Oregon, not that a single date changes anything meteorologically, but just be aware of your situation with respect to fire starts.  Weather is impactful enough when it comes to fire starts, we don’t need to provide any help.  Follow burn bans and all other restrictions with respect to wildfire season.

Please, Stay safe.

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