Several coastal weather systems that blew cool ocean air into Central Oregon kept July temperatures below normal in Bend, according to the National Weather Service office in Pendleton.

The weather service’s monthly climate summary showed the average temperature for July was 64.1 degrees, which was 0.4 degrees below normal. High temperatures averaged 80.6 degrees, which was 0.9 degrees below normal, and the low temperatures averaged 47.5 degrees, which was the normal low.

The highest temperature in July was 89 degrees on July 24. The lowest temperature was 40 degrees on July 1.

Marilyn Lohmann, a hydrologist at the National Weather Service in Pendleton, said the coastal weather patterns brought the cooler temperatures in July, but not much precipitation.

“They did not produce a lot of rain, but they did allow that cooler air from the Pacific side of the mountains to move through the region,” Lohmann said.

Precipitation totaled 0.35 inches in July, which was 0.21 inches below normal. Measurable precipitation of at least 0.1 inches was counted on three days in July.

The heaviest precipitation was 0.13 inches on July 1, according to the monthly climate summary.

This year, precipitation has reached 9.46 inches in Bend, which is 3.18 inches above normal. Since October, the precipitation in Bend has reached 12 inches, which is 1.53 inches above normal.

The cooler temperatures and above normal precipitation have meant fewer wildfires so far this summer, Lohmann said.

“We lucked out during July because of the cooler temperatures,” Lohmann said. “That helped not dry things out too quickly.”

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

The normal high for August in Bend is 81.3 degrees. The normal low temperature in August is 46.4 degrees.

Precipitation in August is usually 0.48 inches, according to the weather service.

The typical August weather in the forecast does increase the chance of wildfires, Lohmann said.

“August is one of our higher fire danger months across the Northwest,” Lohmann said. “It just depends on where and when we get thunderstorms, and if there are any human caused fires.”

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