textproduct: Medford

DISCUSSION...Updated Aviation section

AVIATION...16/12Z TAFs

High pressure aloft just off the PacNW coast and a thermal trough along the coast are bringing mostly moderate offshore flow across interior SW Oregon and northern California. Most areas are VFR, but persistent LIFR low clouds and fog are impacting the Umpqua Basin and Rogue Valley, including Roseburg and Medford. LIFR will persist tonight barring any more south wind, but we'll continue to monitor and amend as necessary. Roseburg looks pretty socked in, so expect LIFR to continue through most of, if not all of, today.

Low cloud/fog is in the Illinois Valley as well, especially around Cave Junction and these will last until mid-late morning before eroding again in the afternoon.

With offshore flow, there is less cloud cover/fog along the coast compared to previous nights, though patchy fog or mist could develop in the Coquille Valley at night. The rest of the area should remain VFR today.

Model guidance indicates offshore flow easing as the thermal trough weakens today. This could lead to a southerly stratus surge up the coast or through the coastal waters later today or tonight.

PREV DISCUSSION

/Issued 217 AM PST Fri Jan 16 2026/

DISCUSSION...Observations for west side valleys show it was yet another day of being socked in the by the fog for most of the day. The Illinois Valley was one of the only spots able to break free in the late morning before returning to fog around 9 PM. Sub- freezing temperatures in the Rogue and Illinois valleys are leading to freezing fog in the area. Low clouds are present across the Umpqua Basin as well. Other than a few passing high clouds, clear skies are found.

The Freezing Fog Advisory remains in effect for the Rogue, Illinois and Scott valleys and Umpqua Basin through 20Z. Please remember that anywhere that has freezing fog could have icy surfaces. Nighttime microphysics as of 2:15 AM showed less of a low cloud/fog layer in the Scott Valley, so will be reviewing this before the morning as they may be removed first from the Freezing Fog Advisory.

If you've been under this persistent fog, you're probably thinking as Smash Mouth would- we could all use a little change. Unfortunately, once the ridges start coming, they don't stop coming. You may want to hit the ground running out west for some warmth and sun at the coast this weekend.

Once again, the ridge of high pressure will hold the weather pattern of strong inversions and stagnant air that leads to evening/overnight fog for west side valleys for the next several days. A thermal trough is helping warm temperatures at the coast to the upper 50s to low 60s this weekend! 50s will be found east of the Cascades.

Even if there is clearing this afternoon, fog will quickly return to the same spots this evening. Grids have been edited to include similar scenarios of fog and freezing fog in the Rogue and Illinois valleys and Umpqua Basin for this evening/tonight. High pressure is forecast to remain in control for the next week, although there could be a disturbance that finally reaches the western US next weekend. Other than that, there will be dry conditions everywhere and fog in west side valleys. -Hermansen

MARINE...Updated 215 AM PST Friday, January 16, 2026...Seas have been improving with wave heights becoming relatively low today. High pressure remains in control into early next week. There is a chance of some active weather arriving by Thursday. -Smith/Hermansen

MFR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

OR...Freezing Fog Advisory until noon PST today for ORZ023-024-026.

Air Stagnation Advisory until 10 AM PST Tuesday for ORZ023-024- 026-029>031.

CA...Freezing Fog Advisory until noon PST today for CAZ080.

PACIFIC COASTAL WATERS...None.