Medford, OR – While much of Southern Oregon and Northern California will enjoy sunny skies heading into the weekend, heat, gusty winds, and heightened fire danger are expected to remain a concern well into next week.
Tonight’s Conditions
High-level clouds will continue streaming across the region before clearing overnight. Gusty winds will ease inland but remain breezy along the coast. Temperatures will dip slightly, with westside valleys seeing lows in the mid-50s, the Klamath Basin in the 40s, and Northern California in the lower 50s. Coastal lows are expected to hover in the 50s.
Friday’s Forecast
Friday will bring plenty of sunshine, with a few afternoon high clouds mainly along and east of the Cascades. Winds along the coast could gust over 30 mph, creating critical fire weather conditions due to very low humidity. According to the National Weather Service, these conditions can cause fires to spread quickly, so residents should exercise extreme caution.
Temperatures will be seasonal, with highs in the lower 90s for westside valleys, lower 80s in the Klamath Basin, and the middle 80s in the Brookings area thanks to the Chetco Effect. Farther north along the coast, temperatures will still be warmer than recent days.
Weekend Heat and Fire Concerns
On Saturday, coastal areas influenced by the Chetco Effect will climb back into the 80s, while inland locations will heat up significantly. Highs are expected to reach the upper 90s in westside valleys and upper 80s in the Klamath Basin. Gusty winds in the afternoon will once again create fire weather risks for the Rogue and Illinois Valleys.
Sunday and Monday will be even hotter, with triple-digit highs possible in westside valleys and 90s for the eastside.
Relief on the Horizon
By early next week, the coast will begin to cool due to marine clouds and fog, offering some relief from the heat. Inland areas will see a gradual temperature drop by midweek, although it will remain warm. Breezy conditions are expected to continue, but the cooldown is not expected to bring showers or thunderstorms at this time.
How are you preparing for the hot, dry, and windy weekend ahead? Share your tips in the comment.
