Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Medford, OR

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725
FXUS66 KMFR 132130
AFDMFR

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Medford OR
230 PM PDT Thu Jun 13 2024

.SHORT TERM...Thursday afternoon into Saturday evening...An upper
ridge remains influential for current conditions this afternoon,
with continuing clear skies and above seasonal daytime highs for
inland northern California and southern Oregon. Temperatures along
the Oregon coast as well as the Umpqua and Illinois valleys will
be a little cooler than other areas.

Friday will see zonal flow aloft ahead of a pattern change over the
weekend. Patchy fog will be possible Friday morning over parts on
inland Coos county and the northern Umpqua basin. Daytime
temperatures will be near seasonal averages, and a shortwave will
bring periods of cloud cover Friday afternoon and evening. Low
temperatures across areas east of the Cascades will approach frost
concerns on Friday night into Saturday morning. Temperatures in
northern Klamath County look to be in the low 30s, with mid 30s
expected for southern Klamath and northern Lake counties. While this
isn`t a huge hazard given the dry conditions, these low temperatures
can be harmful to animals or vegetation.

The first and weaker of two weekend troughs will pass over the area
on Saturday morning. The main effect of this trough will be
supporting below seasonal temperatures during the day. Modest
precipitation chances (20-40%) will be limited to northern
portions of Coos and Douglas counties. Any rain that does manage
to fall will be measured in the hundreths of inches, at most. -TAD

.LONG TERM...Models are showing the potential for a wet and cool
period Sunday and Monday  with another low pressure center and
frontal system approaching the area Saturday night and moving into
the area from the west Sunday and Monday. This is followed a trend
towards warmer and drier weather Wednesday and Thursday.

Ahead of the low on Sunday, expect cool air to be in place. The
National Blend of Models supports overnight temperatures (Saturday
night and early Sunday morning) in the lower to mid 30s east of the
Cascades. This along with mainly clear skies would bring frost to
these areas. However, the track and timing of the frontal system
moving into the area will be a factor, especially in whether cloud
cover moves overhead. Cloud cover would result in slightly warmer
temperatures Saturday night and early Sunday morning.

Then, models and ensembles are favoring the low pressure system
moving into the region on Sunday and Monday. The track and timing on
this low is still uncertain. The variability in the strength and
track of the low as it moves inland, ranging from southern/central
Oregon to central California, will play a role in whether southern
Oregon and northern California see widespread precipitation or more
limited areas of showers. With an overall colder air mass in place,
expect temperatures below normal Sunday and Monday, as well as lower
snow levels (around 4500 to 6500 feet). These snow levels combined
with precipitation may result in some light snow in the mountains
but expect limited accumulation, except potentially at higher peaks.
Gusty winds late Sunday and Monday will be a potential as well,
especially for areas east of the Cascades and in the Shasta Valley.
Stronger winds are expected if the low tracks into southern Oregon
versus further south. Current models support winds gusting to 25 to
35 mph with a 10 to 15% chance for winds to gust to 40 mph.

The upper low is expected to gradually move eastward Monday night
into Tuesday. Late Tuesday through Thursday, models indicate weak
trough to near zonal flow over the region with a high pressure ridge
offshore. With this pattern expect temperatures to trend warmer and
mainly dry conditions.

&&

.AVIATION...13/18Z TAFs...Patches of IFR linger at the coast near
Brookings and Cape Arago. Further dissipation to clear skies is
expected into this afternoon, but a mix of IFR/MVFR stratus is
expected to return to the coast around 04Z this evening and persist
until around 16Z Friday morning. Otherwise, conditions will remain
VFR with high level cirrus arriving Friday morning. Also, gusty
westerly breezes are expected this afternoon into the evening, with
gusts to 30 mph over the higher terrain and east of the Cascades,
including Klamath Falls.
-DW

&&

.MARINE...Updated 230 PM Thursday, June 13, 2024...Winds and seas
will remain elevated this evening, then steep seas linger south of
Nesika Beach into Friday morning. Conditions will improve Friday,
especially north of Cape Blanco, as a cold front approaches. The
front passes on Friday night. A thermal trough over northern
California may produce advisory strength north winds near shore
south of Gold Beach Saturday afternoon and evening.

By Sunday, there is a lot of uncertainty with model guidance, and
there is the potential for a strong low to pass later Sunday into
Monday. This could bring in a strong fresh swell in addition to
stronger wind speeds than we currently have forecast. We essentially
have a scenario where either an upper level low takes a northern
track or a southern track through the region. As the track becomes
clearer, we should have a much better idea of potential hazards (or
lack thereof) early next week.
-DW/Guerrero

&&

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

PACIFIC COASTAL WATERS...Small Craft Advisory until 11 PM PDT this
     evening for PZZ350-370.

Small Craft Advisory until 8 AM PDT Friday for PZZ356-376.

&&

$$

TAD/CC/DW