Red Flag Warning today, isolated storms to develop in the afternoon heat today and Friday

Bend, Ore (KTVZ) – A Red Flag Warning is in effect until 9 pm Thursday night as the potential for isolated storms exists across portions of Central and Eastern Oregon. The storms in the Tri-Counties will be few and far between, but it only takes one lightning strike to kick off a new fire. The winds generated by the rain falling and evaporating from the high based storms may fan existing fires and increase activity. New starts may not appear until a couple days later if the heat dives deep into the earth.

The highs today will be around the middle to lower 80s, just about right for the middle of August. Air quality levels have been varied each day with the cooler temperatures overnight allowing the smoke to settle closer to the surface.

The overall wildfire activity is slowing down, but the Grasshopper and Wrights Spring fires continue to throw up a good deal of smoke.

Friday will be mostly sunny to start then as the day moves along the chance for some isolated storms develops in the heat of the day. The activity will be less than Thursday, but we are still expecting isolated storms. High temperature readings will be in the middle 80s once again.

Saturday will be mostly sunny but, in the afternoon, clouds are expected to develop across the Cascades. There is a chance for some showers to develop in the middle of the afternoon, so if you are hiking the Cascades or enjoying some of our many lakes and streams, be alert for rain. The rumble of thunder is not out of the question either.

Sunday is expected to begin a dry pattern with highs in the upper 80s. This dry weather is going to last into the middle of the week with temperature reading dropping a couple degrees each day bottoming out in the low 80s by Wednesday.

The long-range outlook has rain arriving on Thursday across most of the region. That, of course, will be subject to change but we will fine tune that as we get closer to the event.

Thanks to all the fire fighters and construction contractors that have been on the front lines this summer.  A brutal fight this year, and a dangerous one, thank you for all you do.

Please, Stay safe and smart.

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