Temperatures will warm up a bit and we should see the sun after morning clouds thin out both today and Sunday. Highs will still be below normal, mainly in the mid to upper 70s while normal is the low 80s. The coast will have lots of clouds, cool temperatures, and some possible drizzle. If you are waiting for the hot August weather to return you will have to wait a while. Congratulations to Bob Welch and his group for completing his Sea2Summit trip from Florence to the summit of the South Sister in one day. Watch for his column detailing the trek starting in Sunday’s Register-Guard.

As the upper level low moves through and away from western Oregon we’ll start seeing more sunshine and slowly warming temperatures. In the mean time there will be clouds and a chance of some sprinkles with the high temperature today near 70 degrees. It’s a good day to follow Bob Welch on his sea2summit trek from Florence to the summit of the South Sister. The average temperature for today is 83 degrees. One year ago today we had an average day with a high of 83 and a low of 56 and lots of sunshine. Ten years ago today was a different story. It was mostly cloudy and cool with a high of 65 and a low of 58 and .41″ of rain fell at the Eugene Airport. I had .47″ in my rain gauge. There will be afternoon sun Saturday warming to the mid to upper 70s and a mix of clouds and sun Sunday warming to near 80.

Yesterday an area of showers moved northward through the Eugene area. The National Weather Service radar showed those showers  dissipating as they moved through. The upper level low that has been off the California coast is starting to move into Oregon. That will keep the clouds around and temperatures below normal by about 10 degrees. There will be some showers along the coast today, but the valleys should see just clouds. There may be a light misty drizzle coming out of those low clouds, mainly this evening. The next chance for showers will be on Sunday and then again on Tuesday. A cold front will move out of Washington early Sunday bringing that chance of showers with it.

The phrase “Dog Days of August” usually bring to mind thoughts of typical warm summer temperatures and sunny skies. That will not be the case for the next few days as we will get more clouds, much cooler temperatures, and some showers. That upper air low pressure area that has been stuck off the California coast will slowly move inland dropping temperatures to well below normal.  Eugene’s normal or average temperature for the rest of the week is 83, but we’ll fall as much as 10 degrees short of that on Thursday and Friday with some warming over the weekend.

Our weather pattern will produce temperatures that are just about average for this time of the year. There will be a slight chance of thunderstorms Wednesday and a chance of showers at night. Temperatures will cool down to the 70s Thursday and Friday.  We could see some showers again late in the weekend.

That upper level low pressure center (shaded area just offshore) is staying off the California Coast and sending moisture up from the south. Thunderstorms will continue to develop in the southern reaches of Oregon and slowly move northward. These storms will build in the mountains and foothills, but could still wobble westward and bring the valleys a slight chance of  noisy weather for the next few days. Temperatures will be about normal for this time of the year which is a lot better that the 100+ temperatures we had last week.

With a moisture feed aimed at us from the south we can look for more clouds, slowly cooling temperatures, and the chance of thunderstorms through next Wednesday. Remember thunderstorms can be very dangerous. If one approaches you should seek shelter indoors until the storm has passed.

Watch out for afternoon and evening thunderstorms for the weekend into Monday as moisture flows in from the south and west. Look for temperatures near 90 today then the 80s for Sunday and Monday. A Red Flag Warning for fire hazard is in effect until 5:00 PM Tuesday for the Cascades and the Cascade Foothills. Be especially careful with campfires and smoking materials when you are in wooded areas. Remember, when thunderstorms are nearby you should be indoors  where it is safer.