522
FXUS66 KMFR 281030
AFDMFR

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Medford OR
330 AM PDT Fri Jun 28 2024

.DISCUSSION (Today through Thursday)...

Overview:

Potential impacts through this forecast include the triple digits
next week, in addition to the potential for fire weather given the
continued drying trend with further dry/windy conditions possible
next week. This stretch may lead to many areas near 100 degrees
across our westside locations. During the middle part of next
week, this heat may be accompanied by breezy winds and low RH, so
we could see fire weather conditions arise Tues-Thurs. Lastly,
there is a small chance for thunderstorms Sunday afternoon and
evening across the far eastern portions of Modoc and Lake
counties. Although widespread severe weather is not expected,
lightning will be a concern across far eastern portions of the
forecast area.

Further Details:

We will transition from a mostly zonal flow pattern aloft today to
more southwesterly flow by Saturday as a closed low pushes south of
the Gulf of Alaska into southwest Canada. Depending on how the
moisture and forcing phase together, there is a chance for
thunderstorms on Sunday with both the GFS and EC indicating around a
couple hundred J/kg of MUCAPE. Its not the best setup, but there was
enough evidence to warrant at least a mention of thunderstorms, but
more than likely most of the area will miss out on thunderstorms.
Depending on how the low develops out of the Gulf of Alaska, we may
have a chance for thunderstorms on Saturday as well, but chances are
even less compared to Sunday`s potential. Moisture is the limiting
factor here for this setup.

As the aforementioned low pushes east, an area of high pressure over
the southern CONUS will break down and slide east. This will
allow for high pressure over the Pacific ocean to slide over the
west coast. The high is progged to setup over central California,
and this will allow for the heat to settle in for several days
starting Tuesday. By Wednesday, and more so Thursday, the
probability for 100 degree days will be on the rise, especially
for our typical warmer locations like our westside valleys. For
example, the Rogue Valley and Shasta Valley will approach a 50-60%
chance of reaching 100 degrees or greater late next week through
the weekend. In other words, some sort of heat risk is shaping up
mid/late next week.

Unfortunately, much of the forecast area has not received much--if
any--rainfall in quite a while now, and this trend is only forecast
to continue. Given the drying trend, fuels are likely to cure
further, and the risk for fire danger will likely increase next
week. This will be most notable starting Tuesday, as overnight
recoveries are not that great, and we will be going into some hot
afternoons near 100 degrees. Western parts of Siskiyou county in
particular could have critical fire weather conditions arise mid
week with RH values around 10 percent in the afternoon coupled with
breezy wind speeds. In fact, elevated to critical fire weather
conditions look possible for much of mid/late next week.

-Guerrero

&&

.AVIATION (06Z TAFs)...

IFR ceilings are building into the coast as an inversion builds
under some higher cirrus clouds. Models suggest LIFR ceilings are
possible later tonight around North Bend. Marine air will push
into the Umpqua Basin later tonight with some MVFR ceilings within
that valley tonight. These lower ceilings will persist into the
morning hours of Friday before skies clear out. VFR conditions are
anticipated for most of Friday as a weak area of high pressure
builds.

-Smith

&&

.MARINE...Updated 1215 AM Friday, June 28, 2024...A return
of gusty northerly winds is present today, with steep seas affecting
areas south of Cape Blanco. Winds and seas will peak late Friday
afternoon and evening, with steep seas continuing south of Cape
Blanco into early Saturday morning.

Winds and seas lower Saturday afternoon into Sunday for most of the
area. However, areas from Pistol River south within about 15 NM of
shore could observe brief and isolated advisory level seas as winds
peak in the afternoon, generating a steep wind wave. These
conditions will likely be too short lived and localized to warrant
needing a warning, but you`ll want to watch Buoy 27 to monitor
conditions in this area to be safe before heading out.

Then, a very strong thermal trough is expected to develop next week
beginning on Monday and lingering towards the end of the week. The
peak should be either Tuesday or Wednesday evening, but there is
some spread in the forecast and uncertainty here. As for the wind
speeds expected during the peak of the thermal trough, the chance
for gale force wind gusts south of Cape Blanco is 70% or greater
(90% plus south of Pistol River) and this will drive very steep
waves. There is also a moderate (20-40%) chance that gale force
winds develop over the waters north of Cape Blanco.

-Miles


&&

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

PACIFIC COASTAL WATERS...Small Craft Advisory until 5 AM PDT Saturday
     for PZZ356-376.

&&

$$