07:02 PM PST on Monday, March 8, 2004

By JIM PARKER, kgw.com Staff

Much of Oregon and SW Washington experienced a one-day, late winter warm-up that put high temperatures at or near record levels.

Clear, sunny skies looking out across downtown Portland Monday afternoon from the Wells Fargo Center. (KGW Skycam Photo)

Temperatures climbed to 70 or above in downtown Portland and at least 14 other communities: Corvallis, Hermiston, Hillsboro, Madras, McMinnville, Medford, Monument, Prineville, Redmond, Roseburg, Scappoose and Troutdale in Oregon along with Camas and Kelso in SW Washington.

"That's the warmest it's been since last October," said KGW meteorologist Dave Salesky.

New record highs in Oregon were set or tied in: Condon 67, Heppner 69, Hillsboro 72, Klamath Falls 69, Madras 71, McMinnville 70, Medford 79, Mitchell 68, Monument 75, Prineville 71, Redmond 71 and Roseburg 74; Camas, Wash. also had a new record high of 74.

Many of the previous record highs for the date in the region were set in 1953, according to National Weather Service data.

Salesky warned, however, that Monday's "spring fever" -- with its sunshine and warm temperatures -- was to be short-lived.

"Tuesday, a weak storm will arrive from the Gulf of Alaska," he said. "Clouds will increase and there will be a chance of rain developing in the afternoon hours."