June 20, 2024 4:00 a.m.

As summer begins, the Umpqua Valley is heating up through Saturday.

Forecasters at the National Weather Service said upper-level ridging in the area means no clouds, less wind, and more exposure to the sun, causing warmer temperatures. Highs in Roseburg are forecast to be at or near 90 degrees for the next three days.

The mercury reached 87 degrees at the Roseburg Regional Airport on Wednesday. The record for the date was 95 degrees, set in 2018. The record high for Thursday is 93 degrees – set in 1945 and again in 2008.

Summer begins Thursday at 1:50 p.m. Pacific Time. Forecasters said this is the earliest summer solstice in 228 years. 1796 was the last time it was this early. Then George Washington was president and there were only 16 states in the Union. Summer solstice is the exact moment when the sun is at its highest point in the sky each year. Often the event happens on June 21st, or later in the day on June 20th

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