Cooler Weather Arrives Wednesday
Southern Oregon and Northern California will see a shift back toward spring-like conditions beginning Wednesday, with cooler temperatures, light showers, and another weak system possible by Saturday.
SOUTHERN OREGON / NORTHERN CALIFORNIA - Cooler weather is expected to move into Southern Oregon and Northern California beginning Wednesday, May 13, bringing a noticeable break from the warmer temperatures that started the week.
According to the National Weather Service in Medford, a compact upper-level low and cold front will move through the region Tuesday night into Wednesday morning. The system is expected to bring coastal showers inland by Wednesday morning, with some showers possibly reaching northern Klamath and Lake counties. Areas south and east of the mountains are expected to remain mostly dry.
Behind the front, temperatures are expected to drop 10 to 15 degrees compared to Tuesday. Forecasters say the change will push the region back toward more typical spring weather by Wednesday afternoon.
Rainfall amounts are expected to remain light. NWS Medford says a few tenths of an inch may fall along the coast, while inland areas west of the Cascades may see only a few hundredths of an inch. Widespread heavy rain is not expected.
A National Weather Service Medford graphic issued Sunday showed the region’s warm start to the week and expected midweek cooldown. Updated forecasts show cooler weather beginning Wednesday, May 13. Image courtesy of NWS Medford.
The Wednesday cooldown will not necessarily last all week. A brief warmup is possible Thursday, with some inland areas returning to the 80s before another cooling trend arrives Friday. By Saturday, another low and cold front may move through the broader region, though precipitation in Southern Oregon and Northern California is expected to remain very light, with better rain chances farther north in Oregon.
Conditions are expected to dry out after Saturday, with warmer temperatures likely returning early next week. Medford could climb back into the 80s by that time, according to the latest NWS forecast discussion.
Even with the cooler pattern arriving, NWS Medford continues to remind residents that area waterways remain cold and swift. Anyone heading near rivers, lakes, or streams should wear a life jacket, limit time in cold water, avoid swimming alone, and keep a throwable flotation device nearby.
Cover image: Bureau of Land Management, Flickr
