Spring/Summer weather in Bend (Redmond: house, landscaping, purchases)

[delta07]

Originally Posted by kapetrich

Just checked the weather real fast and says there will be a high of 76 tomorrow. I know thats not what you're talking about (You were saying THIS spring never warmed up), but I'd say that's shorts weather, no?

Also, in looking at the 10 day forecast there isn't one day with rain and very little cloud-age throughout the week. Albeit, the temperatures are in the mid to lower 70's as highs......

From my research there seems to be two distinct weather extremes in Bend. You have two months of guaranteed cold/snow -Dec & Jan- and two months of guarantee hot and sunny weather -July & August-. Excluding these 4 months, the temperatures are pretty unpredictable which makes sense at the altitude/proximity to the range. Sounds like this year is an anomaly?

(Full disclosure: I've never lived at altitude or very close to mountains -only going off what I've read- so I don't actually know what "altitude weather" is like.


Question for you:
You said this is your second Spring in Bend? How was last spring compared to this wet cold one? Any better?

Also, how did last summer (July & August) compare to your Colorado days?





PS- Thanks for all your help earlier this year. I really appreciated all your insight. Your food and beer suggestions were awesome, especially the Deschutes Brewery- amazing beer. Never got the chance to try Typhoons, but eat at Toomies Thia Cuisine down town 3 times and was really impressed with the small town Thia. Actually, I was really impressed with the quality of food and culture the entire trip. I went to 2 film festivals, two live music events and "Ignite Bend" all in under two weeks. Not bad for a 80,000 person town in a depressed economy......

kapetrich, don't get me wrong. I think Bend is a great town, especially considering it's around 80K people! That's what makes me want to try and stick this out (well that, and I own a house, lol). Glad you enjoyed your visit and were able to hit up some of the suggested places! I'm just really struggling with the weather.

The past two days have been wonderful. Of course, today, I'm stuck inside and can't enjoy it, but that's life! 76 is close to shorts weather and I certainly won't complain about that. But, yes, it's a little late in the year for me! I'm glad you have a better understanding of Bend weather and the 2 seasons, than I did.

Last spring wasn't as bad as this one, but it was still much cooler than I was used to. I remember my parents coming out to visit at the end of June a freezing their tails off! It was in the high 50s and low 60s, very comparable temperature wise to this spring. I do think this spring was wetter than normal, as can be seen by all the weather data. I don't think the temps were out of normal range though. It's a learning experience for me, and an adjustment. I moved from the desert climate of Western Colorado, which is far different from the High Desert of Central Oregon. When looking into new locales, I'm sure I was jaded, as I had friends and family convincing us to move here. That's the tough part.

I'm not so sure it's the altitude thing, as much as it's the northern PNW thing. I've lived at altitude most of my life, and actually I wouldn't consider Bend altitude after living at 10,000 feet in Colorado. This weather actually reminds me a lot of my mountain days though. Yes, it's very unpredictable!

I think I'm also having a hard time living so far from my family (didn't realize this would be as hard as it is), so perhaps I'm trying to justify a move back home with something more tangible than a feeling. I do know that my husband is having a hard time with the weather as well though. Maybe we're more desert rats than we thought!

[nestvine]

Originally Posted by zogg

Just wanted to chime in here from the midwest (moving next summer) that we are having a very wet year thus far! (is this the El Nino/La Nina you were talking about PNW-type- gal??) Anyway....We shoveled more snow than I have ever seen here in Kansas City in all my 30 yrs, and this spring we are flooding! (including my basement!!) We are getting huge thunderstorms, and major downpours! Then after the storm pushes through it's back up to mid 90's with horrible humidity and major mosquitos! I cannot let the kids play outside because of the bugs, plus they are drenched in sweat (or rain) Our Junes are usually gorgeous as well as our fall. This winter is what did it in for me...way too cold to even enjoy the snow, and this spring is not helping! So we are on our way next summer....the weather better figure itself out!
(I lived in Denver for 8 yrs too...so looking forward to Bend's weather)

zogg,

I grew up in the midwest (Omaha) and now live in Seattle. I just returned from a two week vacation in Omaha and the weather was very odd for the end of May; a lot of rain and thuderstorms that wouldn't stop. I don't miss midwest weather at all.

Now, the weather in Seattle, the past couple of weeks, has been depressing to say the least. In fact, Father's day was the darkest Father's day in over 15 years (they have a stat for that?). yikes! The Bend climate sounds pretty nice to me right now. It's all relative.

Also, headed out to Bend on Thursday, I will give you an update about NWX when I return.

Dave

[zogg]

Thanks Dave!

Can't wait to hear all about it! I 1st fell in love w/ NWX, but am now considering others as well. Maybe a little more space for less $, and I'd really love something very close to trails. I'd love to be able to jump on the bikes w/ the kids and head out to Shevlin Park w/ out dealing w/ busy streets etc, but love the community part as well, so a common area where you would see lots of kids other neighbors etc...
I'm sure a realtor would be helpful....just haven't contacted someone yet.

I could use 60 or 70 degree day soon!! This heat and humidity is so bad! The only thing we can do outside right now is swim...and even the water is warm!

[nestvine]

Originally Posted by zogg

Thanks Dave!

Can't wait to hear all about it! I 1st fell in love w/ NWX, but am now considering others as well. Maybe a little more space for less $, and I'd really love something very close to trails. I'd love to be able to jump on the bikes w/ the kids and head out to Shevlin Park w/ out dealing w/ busy streets etc, but love the community part as well, so a common area where you would see lots of kids other neighbors etc...
I'm sure a realtor would be helpful....just haven't contacted someone yet.

I could use 60 or 70 degree day soon!! This heat and humidity is so bad! The only thing we can do outside right now is swim...and even the water is warm!

We are actually looking at homes in the Shevlin Park area too. Exciting! Let you know how it goes.

Dave

[tomfirst]

So what day did summer fall on last year?

[Smiled]

All right. It will now be Summer in Bend until the first week of September. Then it will be winter again...

[Smiled]

"When I lived on the rainy side, I always had multiple umbrellas that I was never without..."

Wait a minute! You're a native? I learned Real Oregonians Don't Use Umbrellas. Did I mislearn?
Anyway, it's summer over the whole state now, until September - first freeze in Bend, first crisp night on the rainy side. The rainy side doesn't get really rainy until mid-late October. But then it doesn't clear until April except for a warm week or two in February.

I have friends in Bend whom we like to visit. I just can't imagine living there while I'm working, with summers so short. Retirement? Absolutely.

[thehamster]

Originally Posted by delta07

Okay, this is a question for you long-time Bend residents. I'm wondering if this year's spring weather is "normal", or if not how often Bend experiences a long, wet spring like we are currently having? Also wondering when summer (temps. above 80 F) typically arrives in Bend?

I've lived here almost 2 years, and while I remember last spring being a bit cooler than what I was used to, it didn't seem as rainy/overcast all the time. I feel like I moved back to Seattle, where I only lived for 4 months! I always joke with my Colorado family that I didn't move to the PNW for the clouds and rain! But seriously, I thought Bend was supposed to be sunnier and warmer than this! I'm freezing here!

I have lived in Bend for more than 25 years. The past several springs have been colder and wetter than average, but cool and wet springs are not abnormal for Bend. Look at the climate data posted on this site or on the Weather Channel and see for yourself. The cool, cloudy, drizzly weather typically hangs around until mid-June and suddenly gives way to sunny and pleasant weather.

The "summers" are not very warm either. Temperatures get into the 70s, 80s and (rarely) 90s, but nighttime lows drop into the 40s or 30s. If you want to be outdoors after dark in Bend you're going to need a sweater or jacket almost any night of the year.

There's a reason we say that "Bend has two seasons -- winter and August."

Bottom line: If you really like warm weather, Bend is not the place for you.

[thehamster]

Originally Posted by tomfirst

So what day did summer fall on last year?

I believe it was August 23, but would have to check my records.

[puerco]

Originally Posted by Smiled

We get springs like this every 3-4 years. That's why the saying in Oregon is, Summer starts on the 4th of July.

You mean the 5th of July! The 4th is usually the last gloomy day before summer.