textproduct: Medford

KEY MESSAGES

* Critical fire weather conditions are expected this afternoon and evening for southwest Klamath, southern Lake and Modoc counties due to gusty winds and low daytime humidities.

* Wildfire smoke will remain generally northeast of the area today except for areas of smoke moving into northern and eastern Lake county late in the day and into Sunday night.

* High temperatures will remain near normal before warming into the upper 90's for some areas Friday.

* Dry weather persists next week.

DISCUSSION

An upper trough is located to the northwest over the Gulf of Alaska with a high pressure ridge inland, centered to the southeast across the four corners region and southern Plains. With this pattern we will remain under south west to westerly flow. Low clouds present along the coast and into portions of the Umpqua Basin will gradually clear late this morning and this afternoon. Near normal temperatures are expected across the area today. Gusty afternoon/evening winds are expected across inland areas, with strongest winds east of the Cascades. The combination of gusty winds and low daytime humidity is expected to bring critical fire weather conditions for portions of southwest Klamath, southern Lake and Modoc counties. (Please see the fire weather discussion below for detail).

On Monday, a short wave trough will move into northern California. However, expect continued dry weather. Another short wave trough will move into the area from the northwest on Tuesday. This may result in a slight increase in winds with afternoon breezy to gusty winds across the region (with gusts up to 20 and 25 mph).

This pattern continues through Friday with an upper trough remaining over the Gulf of Alaska and weak shortwaves move across the region. The air mass is expected to remain too dry to support thunderstorms during this period. Temperatures will gradually trend warmer through Friday. High temperatures peak on Friday with highs expected in the 90s for most areas. High temperatures are forecast in the upper 90s for valleys in Jackson, Josephine and western/central Siskiyou counties and in the low to mid 90s for most other inland valleys.

Then, the upper trough in the Gulf of Alaska will move eastwards Friday evening through Saturday. A cold front will move towards the area but is expected to weaken before in moves inland. So, expect continued dry weather. Although, light drizzle is possible along the coast.

AVIATION...26/06Z TAFs

Similar conditions are expected tonight compared to last night. Marine layer will be fairly deep along the coast, so expect MVFR there, including at North Bend, but also areas of IFR. Since the marine layer will be deeper, it is expected to develop in the Umpqua Basin during the overnight (some is already forming to the north around Cottage Grove) with MVFR ceilings most likely. Conditions should clear to VFR later Sunday morning/early Sunday afternoon for both Roseburg and North Bend. We don't think the marine layer will be deep enough to push over the Umpqua Divide, so we are expecting VFR conditions at Medford. Klamath Falls will also have VFR for the next 24 hours. Inland TAF sites will also continue to see diurnal winds with enhanced breezes Sunday afternoon. -Spilde

MARINE...Updated 1230 PM PDT Saturday, July 25, 2026

Overall, for the next several days, sub-advisory conditions under light south through westerly winds and low seas are expected. Seas will be a mix of fresh short period northwest swell and low long period south swell. North winds and steep seas could return Wednesday afternoon when small craft conditions are possible across nearly all waters.

FIRE WEATHER...Updated 200 AM PDT Sunday, July 26, 2026

Ongoing dry conditions with low daytime RH and forecast gusty winds will continue to bring critical fire weather concerns through Sunday. This main area of concern is east of the Cascades across southwest Klamath, southern Lake and Modoc counties, where humidities of 8 to 15 percent and wind gusts of 25 to 30 mph are expected with up to 35 mph over higher terrain this afternoon and evening. A Red Flag Warning is in place this afternoon and evening for FWZs 624 and 285 for gusty winds and low RHs.

Winds will be gusty in other portions of the forecast area, although the higher humidities are keeping the fire weather risk lower in those areas. In any case, it will still be a gusty day across the forecast area with gusts of 15 to 20 mph common around the region.

Monday, winds trend slightly lower with continued low RHs in the afternoons/early evenings for most inland areas (except for higher humidities in the Umpqua). A weak disturbance is forecast to move over the area on Tuesday but expect continued dry weather with slightly higher daytime RHs and breezy to locally gusty afternoon/evening winds.

MFR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

OR...Red Flag Warning from 1 PM this afternoon to 8 PM PDT this evening for ORZ624.

CA...Red Flag Warning from 1 PM this afternoon to 8 PM PDT this evening for CAZ285.

PACIFIC COASTAL WATERS...None.