Wet and cool pattern through the weekend

Bend, Ore (KTVZ) – The well above normal temperatures over the past few days will be coming to an end today as the ridge of high pressure breaks down. The ridge will be impacted by a lumbering trough of low pressure currently in the Gulf of Alaska that will move into the Pacific Northwest this weekend. The result will be rainy and gusty conditions along with high temperatures 10 – 15 degrees below normal.

A Red Flag Warning is in place for the Warm Springs Reservation today until 8 pm. Gusty winds and dry fuel on the ground will lead to rapid fire growth if a fire starts. Please be aware of fire restrictions and outdoor burning is discouraged.

Highs this week have hit the upper 80s and low 90s as the ridge dominated the area. Isolated storms popped up Wednesday, but that was only a preamble to the rainy pattern ahead. There will be a steady flow of air around the low which will provide the winds and the moisture this weekend.

Tonight the rain will kick off the wet period as some widespread rain will arrive after sunset and before midnight. The rain will be off and on and I expect it to continue into Friday. Highs Friday will only reach the upper 60s or low 70s as the cooler air sets up camp. There may be some isolated thunderstorms across the Cascade as well as the high desert, so if you are out and about, stay alert for thunder and take cover if needed. More robust storms are likely in SE Oregon Friday afternoon, which may lead to new fire starts due to abundant lightning.

Saturday will be the coolest day of the period as highs may only reach the upper 50s in some spots. Scattered showers will define the day and we will be overcast and cool. There is a slight chance that we may see some snow on the highest peaks, above 7500 feet, but mountain passes should not see snow as they are generally around 5000 feet.  If you plan on heading up the Mount Bachelor for the kick off to summer fun, be prepared for some cold conditions this weekend.

Sunday will be chilly as the mercury in the thermometer will once again be in the 60s. Showers should be confined to the mountains but some light rain may drift east over the high desert. Variably cloudy skies are expected with more clouds than sunshine in the forecast.

Monday will be partly to mostly cloudy as the rainy pattern comes to an end. Some lingering rain may fall on the Cascades, but overall, the wet weather will be over.

Tuesday through Thursday will see the mercury in the thermometer hover around the middle 70s each afternoon. Normal high for early July is around 80.

Please, Stay safe.

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