WEATHER DISCUSSION
The bitter cold continues across the region. High pressure remains in control of our weather, bringing quiet conditions to the Northwest. Tuesday high temperatures did not warm out of the 20’s both west and east of the Cascades. For this reason, I have gone cooler than the computer models are suggesting today. The way the week has been going, it looks like the improving temperatures will not arrive until Friday, behind a passing cold front.
Until then, expect highs to only warm into the 20’s and 30’s across Southern Oregon lower elevations, with the only exception being the Coastline. The mountains will be warmer because they will be above the strong inversions that continue to build overnight and trap cold (and polluted) air near the surface.
The air stagnation advisory remains in effect through Thursday. Air quality readings will be worse in the morning – Lakeview is reading unhealthy this morning, just on the borderline of hazardous. Klamath Falls & Medford are reading unhealthy for sensitive groups. Because these levels change from hour to hour, be sure to check them throughout the day at Oregon DEQ’s website.
Thursday afternoon and evening a cold front will bring in a new air mass. This will help to improve our temperatures by Friday. But until then, we will be stuck in the 20’s & 30’s. Rain showers are expected with this front at the Coast, but inland shower activity is going to be isolated. Because there is cold air trapped at the surface, this could be freezing rain ..but at this point shower activity will be so scarce across the Valley that it is not a huge concern. Most of the shower activity in the Cascades will be around Crater Lake and north.
Overnight temperatures are still going to remain near or below freezing. This will support any melted snow/ice to refreeze into the mornings through the weekend. Drive safe!
Meteorologist Alyssa Caroprese