textproduct: Medford

DISCUSSION

A cold air mass remains over the area early this morning, bringing low temperatures below seasonal norms. Observations from the Sevenmile Creek RAWS site north of Bandon shows freezing temperatures. Inland sites west of the Cascades have temperatures in the mid-20s and mid teens to the east. These conditions may make early morning travel hazardous for areas with accumulated wet snow, urban ponding, or other lingering moisture. These cold temperatures could freeze water or wet snow, causing locally slick conditions on roads and sidewalks. Please be aware of these possible conditions during any early morning commutes.

Scattered showers continue to reach the western border of the warning area but are struggling to get much farther and Curry, Coos, or western Siskiyou County. Chances for isolated or scattered showers continue west of and the Cascades and over Siskiyou County terrain through the morning and afternoon. With cold air remaining over the area, snow levels of 500-1000 feet may allow for early morning snow showers over parts of Coos and Curry counties. Other than that, the daytime hours will be relatively uneventful.

An low pressure system approaching from the northeast will bring another round of wintry weather. Coastal areas will see the first activity this evening, then precipitation moves inland through Thursday morning. Snow levels rise slightly but remain at 1000-1500 feet. Coastal ranges, the Siskiyou Mountains, the Mount Shasta region, and the Cascades all look to get additional accumulation. Snowfall rates around 1 inch per hour will be possible in these areas early Thursday morning. West side valleys may see periods of snowfall, with 1 to 2 inches of snowfall possible for valley floors and 2 to 4 inches possible for foothills or other elevated areas. Widespread snowfall is expected east of the Cascades, with lighter amounts also in the 1 to 2 inch range for basins and valleys. Bly Mountain and the Warner Mountains are expected to get another 5 to 10 inches of snowfall.

Snowfall through Thursday morning is expected to affect area passes on Thursday morning. Sexton and Siskiyou summits could see 2 to 4 inches of snowfall. With the system bringing periods of southwest flow as it passes, the Mount Shasta region looks to get moderate to heavy snowfall from Wednesday night through Thursday morning, impacting travel along Interstate 5 and Highway 89. Areas around Mount Shasta City, Snowman Summit, and Dunsmuir are expected to get 6 to 12 inches of snowfall for this event.

Activity trails off into Thursday afternoon, with below average low temperatures Tuesday night into early Friday morning expected. Freezing temperatures could once again reach the Oregon coast. A shortwave ridge will minimize activity through the day on Friday.

Model guidance over the weekend shows a low pressure system moving south over the Pacific and dictating area weather into next week. Details are coarse at this point, but tight pressure gradients suggest gusty southerly winds will be a part of this system's impacts. These tend to impact the Shasta Valley, parts of the southern Rogue Valley, and areas east of the Cascades. Southerly flow moving upslope into the Mount Shasta region could bring heavy precipitation. Snow levels rising to 4000-5000 feet would keep snow out of west side valleys. Mountain snowfall would be significant, especially in western Siskiyou County and the Mount Shasta region. The Cascades, the Warner Mountains, and the Bly Mountain/Winter Ridge area could also get impactful snowfall. Please check back for updates as confidence increases in details for this system. -TAD

AVIATION...18/12Z TAFS

Flight levels across northern California and southern Oregon fluctuate as scattered showers continue to move over Coos and Curry counties but struggle to get farther inland. With the Umpqua Valley being sheltered from showers, LIFR levels are present under freezing fog.

Chances for showery activity remain along the coast, Cascades, and western Siskiyou County this morning and afternoon. A system approaching from the northeast will bring more widespread rainfall to the Oregon coast this evening. Inland snow levels remaining at 1000-1500 feet today will allow for most inland areas to see some snowfall today, although precipitation may still be in the form of rain in the Umpqua Valley. This activity is expected to bring mostly MVFR or IFR levels, although locally lower ceilings and visibilities may be present. -TAD

MARINE...Updated 300 AM PST Wednesday, February 18, 2026

Steep westerly swell will persist through this, then eases tonight. Another passing low arrives Thursday with gusty north to northwest winds and steep to very steep seas, highest across the outer waters. Steep seas linger into Friday morning, with a brief period of below advisory level seas possible through the afternoon.

A strong storm will move southward over the eastern Pacific from the Gulf of Alaska, possibly bringing gusty southerly winds by late Friday night or early Saturday morning. Southerly gales and a potential for storm force gusts (especially over the outer waters - beyond 10 NM from shore) are possible late Saturday into Sunday. This may result in large to very large and very steep seas across the waters.

MFR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

OR...Winter Storm Warning until 10 AM PST Thursday for ORZ023-024- 026.

Winter Weather Advisory until 10 AM PST Thursday for ORZ021>031.

Freeze Warning until 9 AM PST this morning for ORZ021-022.

CA...Winter Storm Warning until 10 AM PST Thursday for CAZ080-082- 083.

Winter Weather Advisory until 10 AM PST Thursday for CAZ081-084- 085.

PACIFIC COASTAL WATERS...Small Craft Advisory until 4 AM PST Friday for PZZ350-356-370-376.