LOCAL ALERT WEATHER DAY TODAY: Poor air quality, peak of the heat this week

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) - A Local Alert Weather Day is in place for Thursday due to the combination of poor air quality and possible record heat.

Dense wildfire smoke continues to hover over the region. Light winds have prevented the smoke from mixing out, resulting in multiple days of smoky conditions.

An Air Quality Alert remains in place for Central Oregon until further notice.

Today will be the hottest day of the week, with temperatures ranging from the mid 90s to near 100 degrees.

Bend's record high for August 6th is 97 degrees in 1927. We are forecasted to hit 98, which puts that in jeopardy.

The persistent hot and dry pattern is due to a building ridge of high pressure impacting the Pacific Northwest.

Temperatures will stay in the 90s through the weekend, so don't expect much relief from the heat.

Westerly winds could pick up Friday and Saturday and this could help clear out some of the smoke. As of Thursday morning, Warm Springs is under a Fire Weather Watch 11am Friday through 11pm Saturday.

We will dip into the upper 80s Monday through Wednesday as dry conditions persist across the High Desert.

Don’t forget to download the Local Alert Weather App to stay connected with our team of meteorologists. 

You can get access to LIVE radar and receive urgent weather alerts so you’re always prepared.