textproduct: Pendleton

KEY MESSAGES

1. Dry and warm conditions will continue

2. Breezy to windy across the region through Wednesday *Winds Advisories Issued*

3. Isolated fire weather concerns today *Red Flag Warnings Issued*

DISCUSSION

Current satellite should some clouds forming over the area due to the shortwave. This has assisted with keeping the overnight temperatures warm. Current ground observations so many locations through the Basin with temperatures in the low 70s at 330 am. Temperatures tomorrow will remain in the 90s through the Basin (70- 90%) with central, N. central and the foothills seeing high 80s (70- 90%) while the higher elevations outside of central OR will see the high 70s to low 80s (70-90%). Models show the ridge to remain in place over the long term period with a few weak shortwaves on Wednesday and Saturday bringing only a slight temperature difference to the region. Otherwise, dry and warm conditions will persist through the end of the week.

Models show the shortwave that is moving over the ridge will bring a tightening of the surface pressure gradients. In house calculations using the GFS, NAM and RAP all show a tightening of between 9-12 mb. This will bring increased winds across the region, especially through the gaps and along the foothills. Due to this, an Wind Advisory has been issued for today from 10 AM to 11 PM in the Simcoe Highlands of Klickitat County and through the Kittitas/Yakima Valleys for west winds between 25-35 mph with gusts to 55 mph (80-90%). The foothills will see sub-advisory winds yet still breezy with winds 15- 20 mph with gusts to near 35 mph (70-90%). Winds will begin to settle into a more diurnal pattern overnight Wednesday.

With the increased winds and prolonged dry conditions, fire weather conditions have become elevated across the Basin as well as the Kittitas Valley with isolated pockets elsewhere. With RHs dropping into the teens and the increased winds expected today, a Red Flag Warning has been issued for the Kittitas/Yakima Valley as well as the WA & OR Columbia Basin for winds and RHs. The RFW will be valid from 10 AM today (Tuesday) through 11 PM tonight.

AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z WEDNESDAY/

VFR conditions expected through the forecast period. All TAF sites will see increased winds after 15Z with sustained winds of 15-20 kts with gusts between 20-35 kts. Winds are expected to persist through the entire forecast period returning to more diurnally driven winds after the next 24 hours.

FIRE WEATHER

Red Flag Warnings issued for WA/OR691 and WA690 10 AM through 11 PM today for critical winds and RHs. These areas have confirmed cured and will bare no resistance to fire if ignited. Daytime minimum RHs will be in the teens to very low 20% with winds of 25-35 mph with gusts to 55 mph possible. Confidence in the winds and RHs is high with 80-80% confidence.

Preliminary Point Temps/PoPs

PDT 89 51 84 50 / 0 0 0 0 ALW 90 55 84 56 / 0 0 0 0 PSC 94 55 89 54 / 0 0 0 0 YKM 90 55 89 53 / 0 0 0 0 HRI 91 55 87 53 / 0 0 0 0 ELN 80 52 81 51 / 0 0 0 0 RDM 89 47 87 46 / 0 0 0 0 LGD 88 49 81 47 / 0 0 0 0 GCD 91 48 85 46 / 0 0 0 0 DLS 86 57 85 57 / 0 0 0 0

PDT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

WA...Red Flag Warning from 10 AM this morning to 11 PM PDT this evening for WAZ690-691. Wind Advisory from 10 AM this morning to 11 PM PDT this evening for WAZ024-026-521. OR...Red Flag Warning from 10 AM this morning to 11 PM PDT this evening for ORZ691.