After weeks of chilly days punctuated by freezing nights, spring has finally sprung in Central Oregon, with the entire week’s forecasted high temperatures above 60 degrees.

But Camden Plunkett, meteorologist with the National Weather Service Office in Pendleton said residents shouldn’t expect the consistency to stick around.

“Passing weather systems are typical. We’re still not in the time of year that we would anticipate a dominant ridge of high pressure. Once summer hits, we are mostly dominated by high pressure, but springtime through May, and even through June, we have passing weather systems that cause fluctuating temperatures,” Plunkett said.

After a downright balmy Memorial Day on Monday, temperatures are expected drop Wednesday and Thursday to the mid- to low-sixties before progressively increasing to the high-seventies.

These temperatures are consistent with the temperatures and rainfall expected this week, Plunkett said, however the high of 78 forecasted for Sunday is 6 degrees above the average high for June.

In May, the average high is 65 degrees and the average low is 36 degrees, whereas the average high for June is 72 degrees and the average low is 42 degrees. On average, May sees eight rainy days and June sees six rainy days. Rainfall for May in Central Oregon has been significantly below average, but overall the rainfall numbers leveled to just above average since January, Plunkett said.

The consistent warmth comes just days after Mt. Bachelor ski area closed operations Sunday, May 26 following the North American Pond Skimming Championships. The recreation area will re-open for summer activities on June 27.

Cascade Lakes Highway also recently re-opened after snow kept the road closed until May 21. The road typically opens any time between mid-May to early June.