textproduct: Medford

UPDATE

Aviation Discussion Updated.

AVIATION...14/00Z TAFs

High pressure remains in control. VFR prevails for most areas late this afternoon and evening, though some localized valleys, notably the lower Rogue Valley near Grants Pass. IFR/LIFR conditions in fog/freezing fog return to many inland valleys tonight into tomorrow morning, and affect area terminals. Improvement to VFR is expected again by 19-21z Wednesday, with the lower conditions again lingering longest in the Rogue/Illinois Valleys.

Coastal locations, mainly from Cape Blanco northward, are expected to see IFR/LIFR in fog advecting in from the northwest this evening and persisting tonight/early Tuesday morning.

PREV DISCUSSION

/Issued 247 PM PST Tue Jan 13 2026/

DISCUSSION...

The ridge remains in control and temperatures are indeed warmer on the mid slopes, ridges and some higher terrain. Quail Prairie Lookout RAWS is reporting 74 degrees this afternoon as this strong inversion sets up.

Persistence is the name of the game for tonight into tomorrow as the valleys west of the Cascades will see more freezing fog by Wednesday morning with plenty of moisture still lingering overhead. Dewpoints are on the higher side and 37 degrees in Medford as of writing this AFD. With this strong inversion overhead later tonight into Wednesday morning, air quality and air stagnation are a concern, we kept the air stagnation advisory going and there is an air quality alert issued for locations east of the Cascades for the next few days.

We also issued another freezing fog advisory for tonight as visibilities did drop below 1/4 a mile earlier this morning. The main impact here is flights in and out of airports, although the parking lot had some slick spots coming into work this morning.

We will be testing some record high temperatures on Thursday and Friday as this ridge plays in place. Alturas and Mt. Shasta City will approach their respective record highs for the 14th, 15th and 16th. Without much fog in those areas the last few days we believe they have a chance to break those records.

Things change slightly into Thursday with a short wave swinging down the eastern side of this ridge. This will enhance easterly flow and allow for even warmer temperatures on the mid slopes and ridges across the area along with some drier air. This really pops out on Friday as the 1000 to 500 mb layer really drys out.

Beyond this weekend, things still look dry. We looked through the individual members on the ENS and conditions look dry up to around forecast hour 170(next Tuesday) as things could start to change. More ensemble members are picking up on precipitation as one moves further through next week.

-Smith

MARINE...Updated 130 PM PST Tuesday, January 12, 2026...Conditions briefly improve today with seas lowering below 7 to 8 ft by this evening. Another long period swell (peaking around 10 to 12 ft at 15 seconds) builds into the waters early Wednesday, so seas will remain swell dominated through early Wednesday. Meanwhile, northerly winds increase on Wednesday as the pattern transitions to a summer-like pattern under a thermal trough that lingers through the latter half of the week. Swell gradually subsides Thursday night, but seas transition to wind wave dominated seas under gusty north winds. The outlook is for conditions to improve Friday through the weekend into early next week. -BPN/BR-y

MFR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

OR...Freezing Fog Advisory from midnight tonight to noon PST Wednesday for ORZ024-026.

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

CA...Freezing Fog Advisory from midnight tonight to noon PST Wednesday for CAZ080.

PACIFIC COASTAL WATERS...Small Craft Advisory from 8 AM Wednesday to 2 AM PST Friday for PZZ350-356-370-376.