Intense Thunderstorms Bring Hail and Rain Followed by Record Heat

6/24/2021 (Permalink)

Central Oregon is prone to Thunderstorms but Wednesday brought hail that piled up as if it were a winter day in Bend, OR. 

 The slow moving storm began dumping up to an hour of torrential rain and hail that flooded streets, stripped leaves off trees and flattened bushes while dropping dime- to quarter-sized hail and sending small rivers of bark mulch or dirt flowing from yards.

The storm did, however, provide a temporary respite from recent high temperatures that is due to soar into potentially record-breaking over-100 temperatures for several days, starting this weekend and continuing through July 1st.

Residents of Central Oregon should be "Heat Aware," limiting outdoor activities. Some things to consider are drinking plenty of fluids, staying in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the direct sunlight, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances.