Bend Bulletin - June drier than normal despite thunder storms

This article was published on: 07/2/19 12:00 AM

Despite thunderstorms at the end of the month, June precipitation in Bend was below normal, according to the National Weather Service.

The weather service’s monthly climate summary showed the total precipitation for June was 0.26 inches, which was 0.44 inches below normal.

Ann Adams, an assistant meteorologist for the weather service in Pendleton, said it is possible parts of Bend received more rainfall than where the weather service measures precipitation on the east side of town.

“This time of year with thunderstorms, everything is so isolated,” Adams said. “So one side of town might get pummeled by heavy rain and the other side might not get nearly as much.”

The wettest June on record was in 1969, when 3.2 inches of precipitation was measured, according to weather service data that dates back to 1901.

Overall, precipitation this year in Bend has been well above normal. So far this year, precipitation has reached 8.97 inches, which is 3.25 inches above normal, according to the monthly climate summary.

Since October, precipitation in Bend reached 11.51 inches, which is 1.60 inches above normal.

The above normal precipitation this year is mostly due to the record snowfall in March and rain in April.

Meanwhile, temperatures in Bend were above normal in June, according to the monthly climate summary.

“Both high and low temperatures were a little bit warmer by 2 to 4 degrees above the normal,” Adams said.

The average June temperature in Bend was 60.2 degrees, which was 3.1 degrees above normal. High temperatures averaged 76.2 degrees, about 4 degrees above normal. The highest temperature recorded last month was 89 degrees on June 12. The lowest was 32 degrees on June 10.

Low temperatures averaged 44.1 degrees, about 2 degrees above normal.

The outlook for July calls for above normal temperatures and below normal precipitation, according to the weather service.

The normal high for July in Bend is 81.5 degrees. The low temperature in July is usually 47.6 degrees.

Precipitation in July normally amounts to 0.56 inches, according to the weather service.

— Reporter: 541-617-7820, kspurr@bendbulletin.com