Medford, Oregon 7 Day Weather Forecast

Wx Forecast - Wx Discussion - Wx Aviation

031
FXUS66 KMFR 301749
AFDMFR

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Medford OR
1050 AM PDT Sun Mar 30 2025

.UPDATE...There`s a tough call to make this morning. The latest
model suites are now depicting the compact surface low to pass
onshore between Cape Blanco and Cape Mendocino, rather than
riding farther up the coast and passing onshore somewhere to our
north. The higher resolution models, on the other hand, continue
to bring that low in a bit farther north than the synoptic models
do, making landfall basically around Cape Blanco itself. A
southerly track in line with the synoptic models would nearly
negate the chances for strong winds across the area, particularly
along the coast. With those hi-res model solutions still
supporting a northerly low track, satellite and radar supporting
those same models, and with winds already starting to pick up
inland, have made the bold and daring decision to change nothing,
and let the event ride as-is. There are still concerns about the
coast reaching the high wind benchmarks, but erring on the side of
caution, will keep the headlines in place.

Otherwise, the forecast appears on track, and no changes were
considered. -BPN


&&

.AVIATION...30/18Z TAFs...A compact low pressure system is moving
northward through the coastal waters at this time. Mostly light
offshore east or southeast winds exist north of this system, but
where winds have aligned (here in the Rogue Valley), wind gusts have
already been in the 35-40kt range. Low-level wind shear still could
be an issue in those areas where winds have yet to increase (North
Bend/Roseburg) for the next few hours, but expect winds to surface
abruptly in those areas in the 21-23Z time frame with wind shift
from SE-SW. Similarly, gusty SE winds here at Medford and in Klamath
Falls will also shift to SSW this afternoon. Peak gusts will
continue to be in the 35-40 kt range. As the low moves northward and
eventually inland, winds will ease this evening/overnight. Expect
prevalent ceilings to be VFR through the TAF period, but also MVFR
at times with higher terrain obscured in areas of heavier
precipitation. -Spilde

&&

.MARINE...Updated 830 AM Sunday, March 30, 2025...Southerly winds
have begun to increase ahead of a strong low pressure system. The
low will track northward through the waters today with winds and
seas trending higher into this evening. This will result in
southerly gales and very steep seas.

The next low pressure system will likely maintain very steep seas
late tonight through Monday into Tuesday morning, with peak seas of
13 to 18 ft at 12 seconds Monday night into early Tuesday. A
tapering to steep seas follows late Tuesday morning through Tuesday
evening. Gradual improvement is expected to continue Tuesday night
into the end of the week with light to moderate northerly winds. -
DW/Spilde

&&

.PREV DISCUSSION... /Issued 409 AM PDT Sun Mar 30 2025/

DISCUSSION...Uneventful conditions under high clouds remain over
most of northern California and southern Oregon early this morning.
The first showers of an approaching warm front are showing up an
radar over western Siskiyou County. Precipitation will make its way
eastward through the day, with the highest amounts over Curry and
Josephine counties as well as the Mount Shasta region (Including
Weed, Mount Shasta City, Dunsmuir, and McCloud). These areas are
forecast to get between 0.5 and 1.5 inches of rainfall through
tonight. Snow levels will start at 4000 feet then rise to above 5000
feet by this evening, keeping snowfall to the highest peaks and
ridgelines. Some areas between 4000-5000 feet may see light snow
showers this morning before precipitation turns to rain.

While precipitation may not be impactful today, the front will bring
the possibility of other hazardous conditions. Gusty southerly winds
are forecast over coastal headlands, elevated terrain west of the
Cascades, and all areas east of the Cascades. Additionally, these
winds are expected to funnel into the Shasta Valley and the southern
Rogue Valley. A High Wind Warning for coastal highlands and Wind
Advisories for inland areas are in place into this evening to
highlight possible hazardous conditions. Additionally, this front
will bring slight thunderstorm chances (10-15%) along the Oregon
coast this evening and tonight with lesser chances for inland areas
west of the Cascades.

Impactful conditions turn from wind to winter on Monday and Tuesday.
With the front off to the north, a low pressure system will draw
closer to then move over the area. A cold air mass moving with this
system will bring cooler temperatures and lower snow levels across
the area. Southwesterly flow aloft will continue to bring
precipitation across the area. Snow levels are forecast to drop to
2500-3500 feet through Monday and Tuesday, with hazardous winter
weather possible in certain areas. A Winter Storm Watch has been
upgraded to a Winter Storm Warning for areas in Siskiyou County
above 4500 feet, and will be in place from early Monday morning
through Tuesday evening. Peaks and ridgelines in Siskiyou County
could get 1 to 3 feet of snow through this timeframe. Sawyers Bar
Road west of Etna could see over 2 feet of snow in places. A Winter
Weather Advisory covers the Cascades and Mount Ashland in the same
timeframe, with 12 to 24 inches of snowfall possible in these areas.
A shorter Winter Weather Advisory is in place for areas along I-5
south of Weed and Highway 89 from Tuesday morning through Tuesday
evening. Snow levels are forecast to reach their lowest in this
period, possibly bringing impactful snowfall to these highways and
cities in this area.

For other areas, generally light to moderate precipitation continues
on Monday and Tuesday. Increased thunderstorm chances (15-25%) are
forecast for areas west of the west of the Cascades on Monday
afternoon. Curry and Josephine counties may see a period of
increased precipitation on Tuesday morning. Gusty southwest winds
are forecast to continue over elevated terrain, but that change of
direction will prevent further funneling into the Shasta and Rogue
valleys.

Active but less impactful weather continues on Wednesday, as an
upper trough moves over the area. Northwest flow along the back edge
of the trough could bring continuing showers and cool temperatures
on Wednesday and Thursday. As the upper pattern continues to move
eastward, a high pressure system could settle over the area while
low pressure remains over the southwest United States. This rex
block pattern (high pressure poleward/north of a low pressure
system) could bring a period of warmer temperatures and drier
conditions. Meteogram guidance supports this, with both ECMWF and
GFS outcomes showing an absence of precipitation for the first
weekend of April and only weak signals for the week beyond. -TAD


&&

.MFR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
OR...Wind Advisory until 8 PM PDT this evening for ORZ023-024-026-
     029>031.

     Winter Weather Advisory from 11 PM Monday to 5 PM PDT Tuesday
     for ORZ027-028.

     High Wind Warning until 8 PM PDT this evening for ORZ021-022.

CA...Winter Storm Warning from 11 PM this evening to 5 PM PDT Tuesday
     for CAZ080-082-083.

     Wind Advisory until 8 PM PDT this evening for CAZ081-084-085.

     Winter Weather Advisory from 11 PM Monday to 5 PM PDT Tuesday
     for CAZ082.

PACIFIC COASTAL WATERS...Gale Warning until 8 PM PDT this evening for
     PZZ356-376.

     Hazardous Seas Warning from 8 PM this evening to 8 AM PDT
     Tuesday for PZZ350-356-370-376.

     Gale Warning from noon today to 8 PM PDT this evening for PZZ350-
     370.

&&

$$