textproduct: Medford

AVIATION (12Z TAFs)

VFR conditions are expected for all terminals throughout the valid TAF period. Expect afternoon breezes in a typical diurnal fashion with speeds calming back down after sunset. The one thing to watch may be KOTH where low to mid level clouds could develop Monday morning, but currently confidence is high this should remain a VFR dominant cycle with only SCT ceilings possible around North Bend.

-Guerrero

PREV DISCUSSION

/Issued 303 AM PDT Sun Mar 22 2026/

DISCUSSION (Today through Saturday)...

Key Points:

* Only minor impacts expected the next several days - Limited frost/freeze potential this morning for westside areas - Breezy winds on Tuesday coupled with low RH for eastside - Rainfall Tuesday for areas along and west of Cascades

Further Details:

At this time, eastside areas are likely to see temperatures below freezing which is not uncommon for this time of year. Northern Klamath and Lake counties may be in the upper teens to lower 20s for lows. Westside areas where sensitive vegetation exists may need attention as temperatures could be down around 32-34 this morning. That said, this window is only about 2 hours around sunrise for these cold temperatures.

The pattern aloft turns mostly zonal into early parts of next week. A slightly stronger trough than the one yesterday enters the region Tuesday into Wednesday. Rainfall from this system may be welcomed as many areas remain dry. In typical fashion, amounts along and near the coast will be highest, and will range from roughly 0.25"-0.50". Some isolated areas could see 0.75" when its all said and done Wednesday morning (~24 hour totals). Farther inland, amounts decrease significantly with amounts generally from a couple hundreths to around a quarter of an inch, but Douglas county may see higher amounts closer to half an inch across the higher terrain. Cascades are forecast to receive around 0.25"-0.50" north of Lake of the Woods. Not expecting much--if any --snowfall from this system as snow levels will be around 7,000-8,000 ft initially and only dropping to around 5,000-6,000 ft by the time QPF starts dropping off. Not expecting much precipitation for eastside areas. Also not expecting thunderstorms as MUCAPE values are either very low or nonexistent.

Tuesday in particular will see breezy wind speeds for eastside areas as a strong surface low heads towards Vancouver/British Columbia. This will be coupled with low RH values in the 20 percent range with precipitation likely not amounting to much on the eastside. Given the lack precipitation we could see at least an elevated fire weather conditions Tuesday for eastside areas. To some extent, we could see these elevated conditions continue through Wednesday but at this time wind speeds may not be as high as Tuesday.

Overall, the next several days will be noted by dry conditions and low RH values (30% or less), especially eastside and northern California where minimum RH will be the lowest across the forecast area.

Next change for precipitation doesn't look great until the end of the month/early April.

-Guerrero

AVIATION (06Z TAFs)...

There is some stratus in a few of the coastal valleys this evening and that should persist overnight. Otherwise, VFR conditions will prevail through the TAF period as a thermal trough remains set up along the Oregon coast.

-Smith

MARINE...Updated 300 AM PDT Sunday, March 22, 2026...A thermal trough continues to strengthen today, bringing gusty north winds. A Hazardous Seas Warning is in effect for the waters from Cape Blanco southward with small craft advisory conditions north of Cape Blanco through early Monday morning. Winds may briefly rise to gales this afternoon and early evening for areas south of Gold Beach. Conditions briefly improve Monday afternoon and evening. Advisory strength southerly winds are likely on Tuesday as a cold front swings through the waters. Gales are also possible for northern waters on Tuesday.

MFR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

OR...CA...None.

PACIFIC COASTAL WATERS...Small Craft Advisory until 5 AM PDT Monday for PZZ350-356-370.

Hazardous Seas Warning until 5 AM PDT Monday for PZZ356-376.