After drought, sudden rain and chill threaten local tomato crops as farms adapt

LANE COUNTY, Ore. — After nearly two months of dry weather, local farmers are now dealing with a sudden shift to rain and much cooler temperatures — a change that’s creating new challenges for some crops, especially tomatoes. The cold is especially unusual, with temperatures about 20...

Rain & Thunder expected across Willamette Valley today

Cloudy skies are expected this morning across the Willamette Valley, with thunderstorms developing later in the day. Temperatures will reach the low 60s, which is cooler than average for this time of year. Winds will be from the south-southwest, with gusts up to 20 mph. Rain is likely to continue...

New wildfire grows to 20 acres east of Eugene

A new wildfire has been reported in the Fall Creek area east of Eugene, according to Willamette National Forest officials. The Deep Creek Fire is estimated at 20 acres just off Forest Service Road 1835 in the Middle Fork Ranger District. A firefighting crew, air attack and two helicopters are responding with other resources en route to quell the blaze, a news release said. The fire is burning in the scar of the Gales Fire, which was part of the 2021 Middle Fork Complex that burned 30,000 acres. There have been numerous fires in the Fall Creek area in the past decade. "Smoke may be visible from nearby communities," the Forest Service said. The agency said to avoid the area. With 1-2 inches of rain in the forecast , expected to begin Sept. 2, fire crews will likely get an assist on the fire soon. Zach Urness has been an outdoors reporter in Oregon for 18 years and is host of the Explore Oregon Podcast . He can be reached at zurness@StatesmanJournal.com or 503-399-6801. Find him on X at @ZachsORoutdoors and BlueSky at oregonoutdoors.bsky.social This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: New wildfire grows to 20 acres east of

September Storm Breaks Oregon’s Summer Pattern With Widespread Rain, Wind and Sharp Cooldown

Oregon is entering September under an abrupt change in weather as a succession of unusually strong storm systems descends from the Gulf of Alaska, replacing the state’s prolonged summer dryness with widespread rain, gusty winds, falling temperatures and the possibility of thunderstorms. The most consequential period is expected Wednesday...

Rain changes outdoor plans today

Outdoor plans will feel very different as rain, cooler temperatures, and stronger winds move across the region. The change starts today, with rain spreading from the coast into the Portland metro and Willamette Valley by mid-morning, followed by an even more active day tomorrow. RAIN FINALLY ADDS UP. This will...

North Eugene Community Newsletter for Wednesday, Sept. 2

Good morning! It’s Sept. 2 — here’s what’s going on in your community today…. Today will be cool with periods of rain. There is a 91% chance of rain. The high will be 63 with a low of 52. Cloudy now, changing to rain at 8 a.m.

Incoming storm may not be the end of Oregon’s fire season

Rainy days are ahead for much of Oregon, with temperatures lower than usual for early September. This is due to a storm system coming from the Gulf of Alaska and moving over the Pacific Northwest. It will start off of Vancouver Island and then move down toward the north Oregon coast throughout this week.

Major rain will return to Oregon this week, powerful storms possible

The heaviest rain in months will arrive in western Oregon this week, bringing with it the chance for powerful storms on Sept. 2 and 3. Forecasters have "high confidence" that 1 to 1.5 inches of rain will fall between the two days in the Willamette Valley, with chances for more than 2 inches at the coast and in the Cascade Range. In addition, there's a 20-35% chance of thunderstorms on Sept. 3 that will bring the chance for "downpours, lightning, erratic winds, small hail or even funnel clouds," National Weather Service meteorologist Noah Alviz said. "This is the time of year when we'll occasionally see funnels or water spouts out on the coast, so people should be aware of that possibility," Alviz said. Will the rain last into Labor Day weekend? Weather models have differed on whether the rainy weather will last into Labor Day weekend. Alviz said there's a 15-25% chance of showers during the holiday weekend in the Willamette Valley and 30-40% chance at the coast and in the Cascade Mountains. "We're actually trending a little drier and sunnier, but the picture will get clearer as we get closer to the weekend," he said. High winds expected Sept.

West Eugene Community Newsletter for Tuesday, Sept. 1

Good morning! It’s Sept. 1 — here’s what’s going on in your community today…. Today will be not as warm but pleasant with periods of clouds and sun. There is a 25% chance of rain. The high will be 74 with a low of 56. Cloudy now, changing to intermittent clouds at 8 a.m.

Seasonal Shift: Rain returns Wednesday, Thursday

Overcast skies bring mild temperatures across Willamette Valley today

Overcast skies are present today across the Willamette Valley and Umpqua Basin. High temperatures will reach around 70. Winds will remain moderate from the southwest. Looking ahead, a significant chance of rain arrives tomorrow, Wednesday. Periods of rain are expected, bringing cooler temperatures in the low 60s. Rainfall could approach a half-inch across the region.

Cold front interrupts summer in Oregon, bringing showers and a steep drop in temperatures

After a warm start to the week, residents across the Portland metro area experienced a sudden drop in temperatures on Tuesday. In some places, high temperatures dropped from the 80s to the 60s. A cold front moving in from Alaska is affecting all of Oregon and Southwest Washington. Rainfall will...

West Eugene Community Newsletter for Monday, Aug. 31

Good morning! It’s Aug. 31 — here’s what’s going on in your community today…. Today will be mostly sunny. There is a 1% chance of rain. The high will be 85 with a low of 57. Wear your sunblock — the UV Index is high (6/11). Clear now, changing to mostly sunny at 7 a.m.

Pattern change underway across the Pacific Northwest

PORTLAND, Ore. (KATU) — Temperatures have fallen from the 90s earlier this week, and the change has felt relatively refreshing. There is a slight chance of a sprinkle or light shower this morning and again Sunday night. Forecast models indicate any rainfall will be light. East of the Cascades,...

Warm Monday transitions to rainy mid-week for The Willamette Valley

Today we'll see sunny skies and low 80s before periods of rain move into The Willamette Valley, Umpqua Basin, and Cascades starting Wednesday. Cooler temperatures are expected along with the rainfall, with Meteorologist Allie Ann McCord.

Sunny skies, warm temperatures today across the Willamette Valley

We are beginning our workweek under generally sunny skies today across the Willamette Valley, though a few afternoon clouds will develop. Temperatures will be quite pleasant, climbing into the low 80s for most of the region. Winds will be out of the west at 10 to 15 mph, offering a gentle breeze.

Mount Hood fire brings smoke to Lane County once again

Air quality readings spiked Monday, Aug. 31, reaching the “unhealthy” level in parts of Eugene and Springfield. Easterly and northerly winds, combined with the region’s terrain, funneled smoke from fires near Mount Hood into the Eugene and Springfield metro area. “We had kind of a perfect storm,”...

Weather Roller Coaster: Oregon and Its Coast Get Rain, Thunder, Then Warms for Holiday Weekend

(Portland, Oregon) - Weather Turns to Fall This Week, Then Switches Back: The fun parts of weather this week are the kooky changes from summer to rainy, even thunder; then as the holiday weekend happens it all clears up again. The National Weather Service (NWS) said there's another shot at...

Partly cloudy and comfortable for Eugene tonight

For Saturday night, partly cloudy skies are expected across the Willamette Valley and Umpqua Basin, with overnight lows falling into the mid-50s. We will see gentle winds from the north. Sunday brings a mix of sun and clouds, leading to pleasant conditions with highs climbing into the upper 70s. Monday...