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151
FXUS66 KMFR 221156
AFDMFR

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Medford OR
456 AM PDT Sat Jun 22 2024

.DISCUSSION...
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Updated Aviation Section...

.AVIATION...(12Z TAFs)...Marine stratus has settled over parts of the
Oregon coast, with IFR ceilings at North Bend and LIFR ceilings at
Brookings. Ceilings look to rise to MVFR later this morning, with
some uncertainty on when or if ceilings descend again.

Inland areas will remain VFR through the day with normal increases
in afternoon winds. -TAD/Hermansen
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&&

.PREV DISCUSSION... 
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/Issued 348 AM PDT Sat Jun 22 2024/

DISCUSSION...Satellite imagery is showing some marine stratus
across portions of the coast and offshore. Meanwhile there is some
higher cloud cover occurring across portions of southern Oregon
while northern California is observing mainly clear skies. We are
the influence of a weak trough which is exiting the Pacific
Northwest, and another trough will pass through southern Oregon
later today into Sunday. This trough may cause a marine push to
bring light drizzle to portions of the Coos and Douglas County
Coast this morning, but all other areas will remain dry.

The main concern with this trough will be the breezy winds with
continued dry conditions. If this were taking place in August or
September, we might be a bit more worried; but local fire agencies
are generally reporting moderate fire danger with grass-like
vegetation more receptive to catching fire than leaves and other
shrubs at this point in time. That being said, we have seen some
fire activity over the last couple of days, but in general
conditions do not warrant additional products like a red flag
warning due to the moderate nature of the fire danger. That being
said, breezy winds may still impact ongoing fires like the Little
Applegate fire this weekend. Since the winds will be from the
northwest, smoke may push toward the southeast; but most of the
smoke will be relatively well-mixed and will only cause the
biggest impacts to areas immediately downwind and close to the
fire.

The weather remains somewhat unsettled as the parent low pushing
through the northern half of the Pacific Northwest. This will
bring increased rain chances to portions of the coast and Umpqua
Basin with very light rain showers possible. More aptly, this low
will keep temperatures a little bit cooler with today being the
hottest day. Temperatures will gradually cool down before dropping
several degrees closer to normal for the latter half of the work
week. -Schaaf

MARINE...Updated 245 AM Saturday, June 22, 2024...The thermal
trough pattern will persist through early next week. This will
maintain gusty north winds and steep wind driven seas. Winds will be
strongest south of Pistol River. The thermal trough will weaken over
the weekend, but steep seas will persist south of Cape Blanco into
early next week. A weak front will bring a surge of stratus late
Saturday into Sunday with light showers possible mainly across the
northern waters.

FIRE WEATHER...Previous fire weather discussion issued 145 PM
Friday...For areas west of the Cascades, over the next couple
days critical conditions are not expected. This will be anchored
by good humidity recoveries (80% and higher) in valleys and
moderate to good humidity recoveries over upper slopes and ridges
(50-70%) overnight. Afternoon humidities in this area will bottom
out in the mid to upper teens to 20 percent, with these minimum
humidity values trending similar this afternoon to Saturday
afternoon. Some drizzle in the coast range and across Douglas
County Saturday night, will continue to keep concerns low.

East of the Cascades, weather conditions are a bit different, as
brief durations of critical wind & humidity conditions Saturday
and possibly Sunday are possible. These would be in eastern zone
624 between Bly and Lakeview, as well as around Alturas in Modoc
County. This will be caused by a dry front moving through late
Saturday into Sunday. The driest conditions are expected Saturday
near 10%, while the strongest breezes are expected Sunday
afternoon, with some areas gusting to 30 mph.

No lightning is expected over the forecast area through at least
Tuesday. -Miles
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&&

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

PACIFIC COASTAL WATERS...Small Craft Advisory until 8 PM PDT this
     evening for PZZ356-376.

&&

$$