Warm and Breezy ahead of rain late Thursday, increased fire danger

Bend, Ore (KTVZ) – Plenty of sunshine today with highs reaching the middle to upper 80s across the high desert.  Breezy conditions are expected in the late afternoon and early evening across the area and some clouds will develop in the late day heat.

Thursday will be the day of transition as we get ready for a few days of rain. The winds will be arriving from the west/northwest most of the day and become more robust in the afternoon. This is all ahead of widespread rain that is timed out to arrive around sunset.

The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for the Warm Springs reservation area, and points north and east, Thursday as gusts near 30 mph are possible. The rest of the Tri-Counties is going to be breezy to windy as well so any fire that starts will spread rapidly.

The wind arrives before the rain, which will be fairly widespread and last, off and on, through Saturday. This will be good old fashioned soaking rains that will be very beneficial for our parched soil. Unfortunately, a good portion of the rain will be squeezed out by the Cascades, but we should still see cloudy skies with showers Friday and Saturday.

The run of above normal temperature readings is coming to a close with the showers. The highs on Thursday will still be above normal, in the low 80s, but Friday will only top out in the upper 60s to low 70s.

Rain will be off and on Saturday as well, with highs only reaching the low 60s.  Snow is possible above 7500 feet (well above pass level) so there may be some snow-capped mountains across the Cascades Saturday.

Sunday will be cool and breezy with some rain lingering across the Cascades. Highs will be in the middle 60s across the high desert.

Monday and Tuesday see the temperatures rise back to near normal levels, the low to mid-seventies.  Sunny conditions return as well.

Please, Stay safe.

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