Summer ends on a mild note as Autumn begins dry, for now

Bend, Ore (KTVZ) – Autumn officially begins at 5:05 pm Today as the direct rays of the sun will be over the equator, (autumnal equinox) continuing their journey south to the Tropic of Capricorn. Equal parts daylight and darkness is also on the equinox.  The daylight hours be less than the nighttime hours beginning on Wednesday.

The area is much cooler than the past few days with highs reaching the middle to upper 70s. Once again, filtered sunshine is the best way to describe the day as high and mid-level clouds dominate the skies. Some clearing is likely overnight so the mercury will be able to drop into the low 40s and upper 30s.

Wednesday will be another partly to mostly sunny day with high a few degrees cooler than today.  The afternoon high in Bend will be 75, which is one degree above the normal or average high for the 23^rd of September. Winds will be light and variable.

Thursday will bring back some of the warmth to Central Oregon as a cold front approaches. The southwest flow ahead of the front will allow the mercury to rise into the upper 70s and low 80s Thursday. This will also increase the wind speeds slightly so a breezy day is also in the cards.

Friday will see the passage of the front and associated moisture. I am expecting to see rain develop before the sun rises Friday and impact the morning commute. The rain will be light and widespread most of the morning and will begin to taper off as the front passes by early afternoon.

Highs on Friday will be much lower than normal, only reaching the low 60s with La Pine and Sisters only reaching the middle 50s.

Saturday and Sunday will also be on the cool side as high pressure keeps the region quiet and dry. Highs on Saturday and Sunday are, once again, expected to stay in the upper 50s and low 60s.  Time for the pumpkin spiced lattes to become the number one coffee request at the local coffee houses.  

Kicking off the first full week of fall, Monday and Tuesday will be slightly warmer but still below average. Highs reach the upper 60s. Rain chances return to the region late Wednesday or early Thursday

Please, Stay safe and smart.

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