Red Flag Warning Arrives Ahead of Triple-Digit Heat Wave
Medford could reach 106 by midweek, while the coast stays much cooler.
REGIONAL WEATHER SNAPSHOT
Red Flag Warning:
2 p.m. Monday through 9 p.m. Tuesday
Heat Advisory:
11 a.m. Tuesday through 11 p.m. Thursday
West-Side Valleys: Medford and Grants Pass could reach 106 degrees by midweek, while Cave Junction may reach 103.
East of the Cascades: Klamath Falls could reach 97 degrees, with Lakeview near 95.
Northern California: Happy Camp could reach 109 degrees, Yreka 102, and Alturas 98.
Wild Rivers Coast: Brookings and Crescent City will remain much cooler, with highs mainly in the upper 60s to mid-70s.
MEDFORD, Ore. — Critical fire weather will return to Southern Oregon’s west-side valleys Monday before a heat wave sends temperatures above 100 degrees across much of the inland region Tuesday through Thursday.
The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning from 2 p.m. Monday through 9 p.m. Tuesday for the Rogue, Illinois, and Applegate valleys, the Siskiyou Mountains, and the southern Oregon Cascades.
The warning includes Medford, Grants Pass, Ashland, Cave Junction, Eagle Point, and Shady Cove.
A Heat Advisory will then be in effect from 11 a.m. Tuesday through 11 p.m. Thursday across the Rogue, Illinois, Applegate, Scott, and Klamath River valleys. Forecast highs within the advisory area generally range from 105 to 113 degrees, with warm overnight lows limiting relief in some communities.
Warning Area: A Red Flag Warning covers the Rogue, Illinois, and Applegate valleys, the Siskiyou Mountains, and the southern Oregon Cascades from Monday afternoon through Tuesday evening. A Heat Advisory overlaps many inland valleys Tuesday through Thursday. National Weather Service.
RED FLAG WARNING MONDAY AND TUESDAY
Northwest winds are expected at 10 to 15 mph during the afternoons, with gusts reaching 25 mph. Winds will turn east to northeast overnight.
Humidity could fall between 8% and 15% during the afternoon. Overnight humidity recovery may remain as low as 20%, leaving vegetation unusually dry through Tuesday morning.
The National Weather Service said any fires that begin under those conditions could spread rapidly. A Red Flag Warning does not mean a wildfire is already burning. It means wind, dry air, and vegetation could support fast-moving fire behavior.
Residents should follow local fire restrictions, avoid parking vehicles on dry grass, secure trailer chains, and postpone work that could produce sparks.
Temperature Outlook: Forecast highs show inland temperatures peaking above 100 degrees during the middle of the week, with significantly cooler conditions continuing along the coast. National Weather Service Medford.
HEAT BUILDS TUESDAY
Temperatures will begin climbing Monday before reaching their highest levels Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
The National Weather Service expects a moderate heat risk across the inland valleys. Several days of extreme afternoon heat, combined with warmer overnight temperatures, could increase the risk of heat-related illness for people without reliable cooling.
Medford is forecast to reach approximately 106 degrees Tuesday and Wednesday, followed by about 105 Thursday. Wednesday’s forecast places the city near record territory.
People working or spending time outdoors should drink water regularly, take breaks in shade or air conditioning, and shift strenuous activity away from the hottest hours of the afternoon. Children, older adults, people with health conditions, and anyone without access to cooling may face greater risk.
People and pets should never be left inside parked vehicles.
Heat Risk / Cover Image: Significant heat risk is expected Wednesday across parts of the Rogue, Illinois, and Klamath River valleys, with elevated heat risk extending across much of Southern Oregon and Northern California. National Weather Service Medford.
SMOKE SPREADS ACROSS REGION
Smoke from wildfires burning to the north is expected to move into the region late Sunday night and spread across Southern Oregon and Northern California through Tuesday.
Periods of reduced air quality are possible through midweek, especially in communities where smoke settles overnight or becomes trapped in valleys.
Conditions may begin improving Wednesday if no new fires start. Residents should monitor local air quality at fire.airnow.gov and limit time outdoors when smoke levels rise.
Smoke Outlook: Smoke from wildfires burning to the north is expected to spread across Southern Oregon and Northern California through Tuesday, bringing periods of reduced air quality. Conditions may improve beginning Wednesday if no new fires start. National Weather Service Medford.
WEST-SIDE VALLEYS
The Rogue and Illinois valleys will experience both the strongest heat and the Red Flag Warning.
Medford is forecast to reach approximately 98 degrees Monday before climbing to 106 Tuesday and Wednesday. Thursday’s high is expected near 105.
Grants Pass could reach 95 Monday, 104 Tuesday, 106 Wednesday, and 105 Thursday.
Cave Junction is forecast near 92 Monday, followed by 103 Tuesday, 102 Wednesday, and 100 Thursday.
Patchy smoke may move through portions of Jackson and Josephine counties Monday and Monday night. Winds and very low humidity will create the greatest fire concern from Monday afternoon through Tuesday evening.
EAST OF THE CASCADES
Klamath and Lake counties will remain cooler than the Rogue Valley but will still experience a significant warming trend.
Klamath Falls is forecast near 89 Monday before reaching approximately 96 Tuesday and Wednesday and 97 Thursday.
Lakeview could reach 86 Monday, 93 Tuesday, and 95 Wednesday and Thursday.
Overnight temperatures east of the Cascades will generally fall into the upper 40s and 50s, providing more nighttime cooling than communities west of the mountains.
Smoke is expected at times Monday and Monday night across both counties, potentially reducing visibility and affecting air quality.
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
The hottest temperatures in the broader region may develop in the river valleys of Siskiyou County.
Happy Camp is forecast to reach approximately 100 Monday, 109 Tuesday, 108 Wednesday, and 107 Thursday.
Yreka could reach 95 Monday before climbing to 101 Tuesday, 102 Wednesday, and 101 Thursday. Weed is forecast near 90 Monday and in the mid-90s Tuesday through Thursday.
The Heat Advisory includes the Scott and Klamath River valleys, where several days of triple-digit heat and warm nighttime temperatures could increase the risk of heat illness.
In Modoc County, Alturas is forecast near 91 Monday, 96 Tuesday, and 98 Wednesday and Thursday. Smoke may be widespread Monday morning before becoming more scattered later in the day.
Wild Rivers COAST
The coast will avoid the extreme inland heat.
Brookings is forecast near 72 Monday, 71 Tuesday, and in the mid-60s Wednesday and Thursday.
Crescent City could reach 73 Monday and 74 Tuesday before highs fall into the upper 60s Wednesday and Thursday.
North winds may become gusty along the coast Monday, particularly around Crescent City. Patchy smoke could also reach portions of Del Norte and Curry counties Monday night and Tuesday, but temperatures will remain far below inland readings.
Forecasts may change as the heat wave approaches. Residents should continue checking National Weather Service forecasts, local emergency alerts, and fire restrictions through the week.
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