Memorial Day weekend is shaping up to be a beauty across Jefferson County and Central Oregon — mostly sunny skies, comfortable temperatures, and a few good days to get outside before things cool down heading into next week.

The Forecast

Conditions through the holiday weekend are expected to feature:

  • Friday–Sunday: Sunny to mostly clear, highs in the upper 70s to low 80s across the Madras area and Central Oregon high desert
  • Overnight lows: Dropping into the 30s and 40s at elevation, cooler in the higher Cascades foothills
  • Monday, May 25 (Memorial Day): A gradual change, with increasing clouds and a chance for showers developing, especially near the Cascades
  • Early next week: Cooler Pacific air moves in, dropping highs back into the 60s with a chance of scattered showers

The warm stretch over the weekend is great news for outdoor recreation — but it also means continued fire weather conditions across the region.

Fire Restrictions Reminder

With Stage 1 Public Use Fire Restrictions already in effect since May 18 on all Deschutes and Ochoco national forest lands, Crooked River National Grassland, and Prineville District BLM, campfires are prohibited at most public land camping areas this weekend.

Exceptions exist at designated developed campgrounds and Deschutes National Forest Wilderness areas, but campers should verify the status of their specific campsite before building any fire. Visit centraloregonfire.org for the latest restriction information.

Oregon's 2026 fire season began early — on May 8 — driven by above-average warmth, low humidity, and dry conditions. The warm and breezy Memorial Day weekend forecast does nothing to relieve those conditions.

Get Outside — Wisely

Memorial Day weekend draws large numbers of visitors to the Crooked River corridor, Smith Rock, Lake Billy Chinook, and the forests around Camp Sherman and Metolius. Locally, the Cove Palisades State Park and the Culver area are popular destinations for Jefferson County families.

If you're camping, packing a propane stove instead of a wood fire is both legal under current restrictions and a responsible choice. And with the weather turning cooler by Monday, layering is smart — Central Oregon mornings and evenings can surprise visitors who don't know the high desert's temperature swings.

Enjoy the weekend, Jefferson County. Summer is here — at least for a few days.