Blue skies are expected for the entirety of the work week, with temperatures climbing into the 80s for the Mid Columbia with a dry weather pattern in place. Our first 80-degree day of the year is forecasted to be Wednesday, with cooler temperatures returning this weekend. This will be the first time we’ve hit 80 since late-September, 207 days ago.
If the forecast verifies, April 25 will be our first 80-degree day of the year, which is about on par with the average. Over the past 30 years, 50% of our 80-degree days have occurred between 12 and 27 April. What this means is that while this will be four days later than the average, it is well within normal parameters.
That said, our average high for this time of year is 70. This is because temperatures that high are isolated events this early in the warm season, rather than being consistently above 80 for long periods of time. In fact, while the average first 80-degree day for the last 30 years is April 21, not a single ‘first 80’ specifically landed on the 21st. Math is weird like that.
Wednesday isn’t the only day expected to reach 80, either. Thursday and Friday will also make it over that mark. The warmth will also be widespread, extending to the west side of the Cascades. This will also spread well north into Alberta, where highs are expected to reach the 70s. For the mountains, freezing levels will rise to 12,000 feet in southern Oregon, with lower values of around 10,000 feet near the Canadian border.
This pattern is thanks to a building ridge of high pressure that will keep rain and cooler temperatures well offshore for the time being.
Unlike in the summer, when it feels like we have incredibly stable weather patterns that last for weeks at a time, a wetter system will begin to erode away at our sunshine Friday evening. We’re looking at afternoon highs reaching 82 on Friday, but Saturday we will be knocked back down to the upper 60s.
Unfortunately for those with outdoor plans, a chance of showers also enters the picture this upcoming weekend. Right now, we aren’t expecting a big rainmaker, but some rain is possible for the Columbia Basin. This will be accompanied by increased clouds and breezy conditions.
Remember that despite the air being warmer, temperatures in area rivers are still very cold – mostly in the 40s and 50s. If you do decide to swim, wear a life jacket and make sure to take steps to avoid hypothermia.
