Freeze Warnings Issued Across Southern Oregon, Northern California
Cold mornings, possible slick roads, and coastal sneaker wave danger are expected through the weekend.
AT A GLANCE
Jackson/Josephine: Frost Advisory Sunday morning; Freeze Warning Monday morning.
Siskiyou County: Freeze Warnings Sunday and Monday mornings.
Cold: Lows near or below freezing, with colder temperatures east of the Cascades.
Roads: Light snow could create slick spots Sunday in Lake and Modoc counties.
Coast: Moderate sneaker wave risk Sunday through Monday.
ShakeOut: Regional earthquake drill is Oct. 15.
MEDFORD, Ore. — The National Weather Service in Medford has issued a mix of frost advisories and freeze warnings across Southern Oregon and Northern California as the region heads into its coldest stretch of the season so far.
Forecasters said frost and freezing temperatures are expected Sunday and Monday mornings, with the coldest readings focused in the valleys west of the Cascades and communities east of the mountains.
For Jackson and Josephine counties, the weather service issued a frost advisory from 2 a.m. to 8 a.m. Sunday for the Rogue, Illinois, and Applegate valleys, including Medford, Grants Pass, Ashland, Jacksonville, Rogue River, Cave Junction, Merlin, Wilderville, Gold Hill, Shady Cove, Applegate, and nearby communities.
That advisory is followed by a freeze warning from 2 a.m. to 9 a.m. Monday for the valleys of Jackson and Josephine counties. Forecasters said temperatures could fall as low as 33 degrees Sunday morning, with sub-freezing temperatures near 30 degrees expected Monday morning. Colder pockets in the Applegate and Illinois valleys, including areas such as Cave Junction and Provolt, could drop several degrees lower.
In Siskiyou County, the National Weather Service also issued freeze warnings for Sunday and Monday mornings in portions of western, central, and south central Siskiyou County, including Yreka, Mount Shasta, Weed, Etna, Fort Jones, Happy Camp, McCloud, Greenview, Scott Bar, Klamath River, Callahan, and Hilt. Temperatures there are expected to fall into the upper 20s.
The weather service warned that frost and freeze conditions could kill crops and other sensitive vegetation. Residents are urged to protect plants, pets, and other cold-sensitive outdoor items before temperatures drop overnight.
A longer-range temperature outlook shared by the weather service shows the coldest mornings of the stretch arriving Sunday and Monday, especially east of the Cascades and in Northern California. Forecast lows shown by the Medford office include the low 20s in Klamath Falls and Alturas by Monday morning, upper 20s around Lakeview and Mount Shasta, mid 30s in Yreka, and upper 30s in Medford and Grants Pass.
Forecasters also said light snow showers are possible Sunday morning in Lake and Modoc counties. Little or no accumulation is expected, but roads could become slick in spots.
Along the coast, the weather service is also warning of a moderate risk of sneaker waves from Sunday into Monday. Sneaker waves are disproportionately large waves that can suddenly surge much farther up the beach than earlier waves.
NWS Medford said beaches and shorelines could become dangerous during that period. People visiting the coast are being urged to stay off jetties, rocks, and drift logs, which can quickly become deadly when struck by a larger wave. Officials also warned that anyone who sees a person swept into the ocean should call 911 immediately and keep watch from shore rather than entering the water.
The weather service is also using the weekend forecast to remind residents about earthquake preparedness ahead of the Great ShakeOut on Oct. 15. The annual drill encourages people to practice “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” and review emergency plans at home, work, and school.
Officials say the drill is intended to build awareness and strengthen readiness in a region where earthquakes can happen with little or no warning. More information and registration details are available at ShakeOut.org.
Keep Reading
The National Weather Service has issued frost advisories and freeze warnings across parts of Southern Oregon and Northern California as the coldest temperatures of the season arrive. Frost and freezing conditions are expected Sunday and Monday mornings, with possible slick roads in Lake and Modoc counties and sneaker wave danger along the coast.