textproduct: Medford

DISCUSSION

/Issued 235 PM PST Wed Mar 4 2026/Radar imagery this afternoon reveals the whole area covered with widespread showers, making their way from west to east as onshore flow continues to push Pacific moisture onshore. These showers, and a stray roll of thunder or two, will continue through this evening, gradually diminishing to the immediate coast and the western slopes of the Cascades and coastal ranges by Thursday morning, where upslope flow will be strongest.

Above 4000 ft, snow showers will lead to some light accumulations, with the exception of the Cascades from Crater Lake north, where several inches of snow are possible. A Winter Weather Advisory continues for this area through late this evening. Details on this, along with expected amounts, can be found at PDXWSWMFR.

For the rest of the week and into this weekend, a large amplitude ridge will remain in place over the northeastern Pacific, with broad troughing over the Rockies and Great Basin. This places southern Oregon and far northern California under the eastern periphery of the ridge, especially this weekend as the ridge tilts in over the Pacific Northwest. With this pattern, we can expect warm temperatures and mostly dry conditions, however some weak impulses attempting to push up and over the ridge will pass just to our north, and this could produce some light showers along the coast or northern Cascades, but the better chances are for dry conditions area-wide.

The ridge is likely to continue well into next week as well, with similar conditions expected through the end of the 7 day forecast.

AVIATION...05/06Z TAFs

Showers are diminishing over the forecast area this evening. Mainly VFR ceilings are anticipated, although pockets of MVFR ceilings are possible over some locations through the night. Fog can't be ruled out, although appears unlikely through the night base off the latest statistical model guidance.

VFR conditions are more likely with broken ceilings as a cumulus deck builds through Thursday. More showers will continue west of the Cascades in Oregon with relatively drier conditions farther south and east.

-Smith

MARINE...Updated 800 PM PST Wednesday, March 4, 2026

Gusty west to northwest winds will maintain steep seas through tonight. Showers will continue through the night as winds begin to ease. However, seas will become less steep on Thursday, transitioning to swell dominated that will persist into the weekend. Steep seas could return late in the weekend, especially south of Cape Blanco, as north winds increase Sunday into Monday.

MFR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

OR...CA...None.

PACIFIC COASTAL WATERS...Small Craft Advisory until 10 AM PST Thursday for PZZ350-356-370-376.