For those hoping for some rain in the not too distant future, it looks like it will be a while before those hopes are realized. Marilyn Lohmann, meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said the region has seen increased wind activity as the Jet Stream moves north in preparation of the hotter weather of the summer. But will those winds bring in any storms that could provide relief for area soils that are very dry, especially in the southern half of Oregon?

Lohmann said that looks unlikely over the next couple of week thanks to strengthening high pressure over the Northwest.

“Which generally brings fair weather conditions, warm days and little if any precipitation.  And that area over the last two months that drought area has totally increased across central and southern Oregon, and unfortunately there’s not a lot of relief in sight either for the short-term or for the long-term predictions as well.”

Lohmann added the high pressure will push temperatures this weekend 10-15 degrees above average, both for daytime highs and overnight lows.

Does Lohmann expect that 2021 will become a drought year for the Northwest?




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