379
FXUS66 KMFR 281042
AFDMFR

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Medford OR
342 AM PDT Tue May 28 2024

.DISCUSSION...Satellite imagery is showing some lower stratus
along the coast and in the Coquille Valley and entering the Umpqua
basin. Additionally, higher clouds associated with a frontal
boundary remain offshore but are starting to fill in inland. There
were a few thunderstorms yesterday east of the Cascades, and the
area remains relatively moist. Additional showers and a few
thunderstorms will be possible once again. Showers and storms are
expected mainly across portions of the East Side, with a few
showers occurring offshore and along northern Coos and Douglas
Counties. However, most precipitation will be occurring north of
our area.

This front will push through southern Oregon tonight and it will
also bring breezy west winds this afternoon and evening.
Overnight, the lingering showers will dissipate. Temperatures
today and Wednesday will be a bit cooler as well, but frost and
freeze concerns are not expected.

Conditions will dry out Wednesday into Saturday as a ridge of
high pressure returns. This will help warm us up and dry us out
once again.

Then on Sunday into Monday, the next front will approach the
Pacific Northwest and northern California. This front will have
the potential to bring additional light precipitation to the area
with showers in the forecast. Ensembles have large variations
about the timing and strength of the front, but will go with the
national blend of models for now. This front may bring
temperatures back toward normal; but these details are likely to
emerge as we get closer to that time frame. -Schaaf

&&

.AVIATION...28/06Z TAFs...VFR conditions prevail across the region
this evening, though marine stratus is beginning to redevelop along
the coast and into the Coquille Basin. An upper level trough will
approach the Pacific Northwest tonight and this will bring a more
widespread marine push for areas west of the Cascades. Expect
IFR/LIFR conditions to persist along the coast with some MVFR cigs
to making it into the Umpqua Basin around 10-12z. Clouds are likely
to develop south of the Rogue-Umpqua Divide and into the Illinois
and Rogue Valleys as well, though ceilings should remain just above
MVFR and confidence is low on how much the clouds will fill in and
impact the Medford Airport. While conditions should generally
improve later Tuesday morning, cloud cover will likely linger
through the day as a weak front pushes through the area. /BR-y


&&

.MARINE...Updated 230 AM Tuesday, May 28, 2024...Relatively calm
conditions will continue today. Northerly winds will turn westerly
this morning as an upper trough passes to the north. Swell will
increase slightly, but remain unimpactful.

A thermal trough will develop under upper level ridging on Wednesday
afternoon, driving conditions through the rest of the week. North
winds will return and bring wind-driven steep and very steep seas to
all marine waters. Sustained winds will be in the 20 to 35 kt range
at their highest, with the strongest winds expected south of Cape
Blanco especially on Thursday afternoon and evening. Chances for
gale gusts south of Cape Blanco will be very high (50-90%) from
Wednesday afternoon through Friday afternoon, and there is a lesser
(10-50%) chance of gales over the outer waters north of Cape Blanco
as well. A Gale Watch is in place from Wednesday evening through
Friday evening for all waters south of Cape Blanco where the chances
are highest for gales. Meanwhile, steep seas and conditions
hazardous to small craft are likely for all areas north of Cape
Blanco during this time.

Conditions could improve next weekend as a pattern change disrupts
the thermal trough, and winds ease. -TAD/BR-y


&&

.MFR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
OR...CA...None.

PACIFIC COASTAL WATERS...Gale Watch from Wednesday afternoon through
     Friday afternoon for PZZ356-376.

&&

$$