textproduct: Medford

KEY POINTS

- Today and late Saturday into Sunday, periods of light showers across northwest portions of the area, mainly along the coast and inland into Douglas County.

- Breezy to gusty winds over the ridges into early next week.

- Temperatures trend warmer Saturday and Sunday with highs 5 to 15 degrees above normal.

- Trending cooler with chances for very light rain and light snow early next week.

DISCUSSION

Today a weak front moving into northwest portions of the area will bring chances for light precipitation, mainly along the coast, into Douglas County and into the South-Central Oregon Cascades. High pressure offshore will nudge into the area Saturday, resulting in a significant warm up with high temperatures 5 to 15 degrees above normal. The warm conditions continue into Sunday. On Saturday, most valleys west of the Cascades will be in the mid to high 60s (locally into the 70s for areas in the lower Klamath River Valley). East of the Cascades, expect highs in low to mid 60s. Additionally, MOS and NBM probabilistic guidance, indicates areas in coastal southern Curry County near Brookings have a chance to reach 70 degrees on Saturday (20-40% near Brookings and 50-70% over coastal ridges just inland). Similar conditions are expected on Sunday, except areas along the coast and into Douglas County will trend cooler as another weak disturbance moves inland late Saturday and Sunday. This will also bring a chance for light showers once again to northwest portions of the area.

A zonal pattern sets up early next week as low in the Gulf of Alaska weakens the ridge. Temperatures are forecast to cool during this period as cold air moves down into the area. Models indicate onshore flow and weak disturbances moving into the region, bringing chances for light precipitation, mainly from the Cascades west and into northern Klamath County. The the focus of this activity is expected to be mainly north of the area; so any precipitation is likely to be light.

Although models and ensembles show that precipitation early next week will be light, it is worth noting that snow levels will lower during this time. Snow levels initially will be high, starting at 6000-7000+ feet Sunday night, then lower on Monday down to higher passes in the Southern Oregon Cascades (4000-5000 ft). Snow levels are forecast to lower further Monday night and Tuesday morning and may lower down to lower pass levels on I-5 (1800 ft), rising again Tuesday afternoon to (3500-4500 ft). The most likely scenario during this period will be light rain along the coast and across northern Douglas County and portions of the south-central Oregon Cascades (Crater Lake northward), with mainly dry conditions for very light precipitation (trace to a few hundreths) for areas to the south and further inland. These means any light snow that occurs (less than 1.0 inches in 24 hrs) will mainly only affect the higher passes in the Cascades (especially near Diamond Lake and Crater Lake) and have very limited impacts.

A zonal flow pattern continues into late next week with additional disturbances bringing chances for light rain and mountain/east side snow. The National Blend of Models indicates that precipitation amounts will be light. However, we will continue to monitor this period for any impacts.

AVIATION....06/12Z TAFs

Light showers will spread into the coast and west of the Cascades near Roseburg early this morning, mainly between 12Z-20Z then decrease in the afternoon and again this evening (00z-08z). This will result in MVFR and local IFR conditions, including at North Bend and Roseburg. Areas of higher mountain obscurations are expected today and tonight, especially from the Cascades west. VFR conditions will likely continue for the Rogue Valley and east of the Cascades, including Medford and Klamath Falls.

MARINE...Updated 200 AM PST Friday, March 6, 2026

West swell lowers today. Meanwhile north winds will become breezy to gusty south of Cape Blanco. Conditions may locally reach advisory criteria from near Brookings southward late this afternoon and evening. North winds increase and spread northward Saturday afternoon into Sunday, then persist into early next week. Steep seas are likely south of Cape Blanco during this time, with areas of very steep seas possible south of Cape Blanco by Monday.

MFR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

OR...None.

CA...None.

PACIFIC COASTAL WATERS...None.