Oregon could reach 90 degrees by Mother's Day weekend. How to play it safe
Mother's Day Weekend could be a scorcher.
After a cool and wet spring, the weather will warm rapidly this week and could enter record-breaking territory this weekend with highs potentially reaching 95 degrees in the Willamette Valley.
And while the warm sunshine will likely draw many outdoors, some preparation is advised to stay safe.
Hot temperatures with cold, early-season snowmelt can create dangerous situations for recreators seeking relief from the extreme heat in rivers, lakes and creeks. The water is likely to be cold and swift in many places. That combination has resulted in fatalities in past years.
What highs can cities in the Willamette Valley expect?
The heat begins Friday, with temperatures in the low-to-mid-80s. Saturday and Sunday will likely hit 90, with an outside chance of temperatures over 95 degrees. The temperature range for the Willamette Valley is between 88 and 96.
"That’s where roughly half of our forecast models are showing temperatures will fall within,” Miles Higa, of the National Weather Service in Portland, said.
The weather outlook remains consistent throughout all three major urban centers in the valley, but Portland has the highest odds of reaching 95 degrees or hotter. The NWS gives Portland a 41% chance of hitting this threshold Sunday, with Salem and Eugene both at 26%.
Will Oregon break temperature records?
While there’s still uncertainty surrounding exact temperature possibilities, there are strong odds that temperatures will overcome local records.
Eugene and Salem set records for May 14 heat in 1939 at 90 and 91 degrees, respectively. Both of these could be replaced this weekend. Portland's record for the day came in 2014 at 91 degrees, but looks primed for the taking on Sunday.
How will the heat wave impact Pacific Northwest snowmelt?
Oregon snowpack this winter was significantly above normal.
Snowmelt will be a factor as temperatures increase at the higher elevations, but Higa said it’s not likely to cause any extraordinary river issues.
“We will have snowmelt, but right now our rivers are not looking like they will be reaching any critical stage,” Higa said. “It’s not like on the east side where they’re more prone to snowmelt flooding. There are some issues forecasted well into eastern Oregon, but right now it’s showing a gradual rise in river stages in western Oregon.”
How warm are Oregon rivers?
While the rivers are not likely to create a flooding threat, a major public safety hazard exists in water temperatures.
Despite potential record-high outdoor temperatures, the rivers are still extremely cold, with the Santiam, McKenzie and upper Willamette hovering in the low 40s.
This contrast can produce safety concerns as swimmers and boaters head outside to enjoy the sunshine. Without the proper gear, the frigid water can shock your system and allow you to be taken with the current.
The mainstem Willamette will be near 50 degrees at the warmest, but this still presents potential issues.
“The cold water risk is a concern to us because we do have a few fatalities every year,” Higa said. “This being so early in the season, the water’s colder.”
People should be aware that it takes time to acclimatize, and this early-season heat-up presents other hazards, including heat-related illnesses and dehydration, Higa said.
Valley residents should save any outdoor labor activities for next week, keep out of the direct sun and drink plenty of water. If you need to be outside working, pick a cooler part of the day like early mornings or later in the evenings.
You can stay up to date with the forecast at this link, or on the NWS Portland twitter page.
Charles Gearing is an outdoors journalism intern for the Statesman Journal. He can be reached at cgearing@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Oregon weather forecast: Record-breaking temperatures possible
