Jefferson County residents have one more mild day to enjoy Thursday before an unsettled stretch of wet, windy, and eventually colder weather moves in through the weekend and into next week, according to the National Weather Service.

Enjoy Thursday's Window

Thursday will bring partly sunny skies and a high near 70°F — an unusually warm afternoon for mid-November on the Central Oregon high desert. South winds will begin increasing through the afternoon, with gusts approaching 25 mph by evening. Take advantage of the warmth if you have outdoor projects to finish before the weather turns.

Friday: Rain and Strong South Winds

A Pacific storm system will push through the region Friday, bringing showers mainly between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. The National Weather Service is forecasting an 80 percent chance of precipitation, with rainfall amounts between one-tenth and one-quarter of an inch across the Jefferson County area.

Wind will be the more significant concern. South winds of 20–25 mph are expected Friday, with gusts potentially reaching 44 mph. Drivers on Highway 26 and U.S. 97 should anticipate reduced visibility and gusty crosswinds, particularly on exposed ridgeline and canyon sections near Warm Springs and south of Madras. Allow extra travel time and secure any lightweight outdoor items or structures Thursday night.

Weekend Into Next Week

Saturday will offer a brief break — partly sunny with a high around 55°F — before shower chances return Saturday night. Sunday brings another round of precipitation with a 70 percent chance of rain and highs staying in the mid-50s.

The more notable shift comes early next week. Overnight lows are forecast to drop near 30°F by Monday and Tuesday nights, raising the first real frost risk of the late-season stretch. Low-lying agricultural areas around Metolius, Culver, and Crooked River Ranch may see patchy ground frost by mid-week.

Prepare Now

  • Irrigation and outdoor plumbing: Begin winterization if you haven't already — temps near 30°F can freeze exposed lines.
  • Farmers and ranchers: Monitor for frost conditions; protect any late-season cover crops or sensitive livestock equipment.
  • Vehicles: Check antifreeze levels and tire pressure heading into colder overnight temps.
  • Highway travel: Check TripCheck.com before Friday travel, especially over U.S. 20 to Sisters or Highway 26 toward Warm Springs and Government Camp.

The full 7-day Madras forecast is available at weather.gov. Road conditions are updated in real time at TripCheck.com.