Cool, Showery Weekend Ahead for Southern Oregon
National Weather Service Medford says temperatures will feel more like late April or early May, with showers, isolated thunderstorms, and chilly mornings east of the Cascades.
MEDFORD, Ore. — A spring-like weather system is expected to bring a noticeable change to the region through Saturday, with much cooler temperatures, widespread showers, isolated thunderstorms, and gusty winds across Southern Oregon and Northern California, according to the National Weather Service in Medford.
The updated forecast follows a weather shift HWD Weather reported earlier this week, when forecasters warned that cooler, wetter conditions could affect outdoor plans heading into the weekend.
The latest outlook will feel more like late April or early May than late June.
A National Weather Service Medford forecast graphic shows much cooler temperatures, widespread showers, isolated thunderstorms, and lower snow levels expected across Southern Oregon and Northern California through Saturday. (National Weather Service Medford)
Forecasters say showers will become widespread through Saturday, with isolated thunderstorms possible. Gusty winds may also develop, especially near showers and storms.
Afternoon temperatures are expected to fall sharply compared to recent hot weather. Medford, which reached the upper 80s Thursday, is forecast to cool into the mid-70s Friday and upper 60s Saturday. Grants Pass is also expected to fall from the mid-80s Thursday to the low 70s Friday and upper 60s Saturday.
East of the Cascades, the change will be even more noticeable. Klamath Falls is forecast to drop from the upper 70s Thursday to the upper 60s Friday and upper 50s Saturday. Lakeview is expected to cool from around 80 degrees Thursday to the upper 60s Friday and near 60 Saturday.
With the colder air mass moving in, snow levels are expected to lower to around 6,000 feet late Friday into Saturday. The National Weather Service said a few snow flurries are possible across the highest peaks.
National Weather Service Medford says chilly overnight lows Sunday and Monday could bring frost or freeze concerns to areas east of the Cascades. (National Weather Service Medford)
The system will also bring a round of chilly mornings. Overnight lows Sunday and Monday are expected to feel more typical of late April or early May, with frost or freeze concerns possible east of the Cascades.
Forecast lows include the upper 30s in Klamath Falls, mid-30s in Lakeview and Alturas, and low 40s near Mount Shasta City. Westside valleys will also cool down, with Medford expected to dip into the upper 40s by Sunday morning.
Shower chances are expected to diminish Sunday into early next week, while temperatures begin trending warmer. Forecasters say afternoon highs should return closer to seasonal norms later in the week.
For now, residents and travelers should be ready for a cooler, wetter weekend, especially in the mountains and areas east of the Cascades where chilly mornings may catch gardens, livestock, and early outdoor plans by surprise.
Cover image: A cooler, wetter weather pattern is moving into the region after recent late-June heat, bringing widespread showers, isolated thunderstorms, gusty winds, and a spring-like feel to Southern Oregon and Northern California this weekend. (Kym MacKinnon / Unsplash)
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