MEDFORD, Ore. (Mar. 10, 2026) — A strong atmospheric river aimed primarily at Washington and northern Oregon will keep Southern Oregon under mostly cloudy skies with occasional light showers through the end of the week before a significant warmup arrives next week, forecasters said.
Meteorologists said the bulk of the moisture will remain north of the region, leaving much of Southern Oregon and Northern California under the influence of high pressure with only limited precipitation.
Spotty showers were reported Tuesday afternoon along the Oregon coast near Florence, while most inland areas remained dry. Coastal communities and parts of Douglas County could see light rain from Wednesday into Thursday, though totals are expected to remain minimal.
Forecasters said North Bend could receive up to about 0.15 inches of rain by Thursday morning, though most areas will likely see only a few hundredths of an inch.
Windy conditions are also possible east of the Cascade Range, particularly near Summer Lake and other higher terrain in Lake and Klamath counties. Winds at about 10,000 feet are approaching 50 knots, but atmospheric conditions are expected to limit how much of that momentum reaches the ground.
As a result, gusts in the region are forecast to reach roughly 35 to 45 mph, with stronger gusts above 45 mph considered unlikely. Forecasters opted not to issue a wind advisory for Wednesday or Thursday.
A weak cold front is expected to move into Central Oregon later in the week, creating notable temperature differences across the region. Forecast models indicate highs around 68 degrees in Medford, while parts of Northern California could reach the low 70s. Farther north, temperatures around Salem are expected to remain in the mid-50s.
Because the air mass moving south from the north will be relatively dry, precipitation associated with the front is expected to be scattered and light.
Conditions are expected to shift significantly by late Sunday into Monday as a strong ridge of high pressure builds across the region. Upper-level heights could reach about 590 decameters over Northern California, setting the stage for unusually warm temperatures across Southern Oregon and Northern California through much of next week.
Forecast indicators suggest a high probability of above-normal temperatures during the six- to 10-day outlook period. High temperatures in many areas are expected to reach the mid- to upper-70s, with Medford seeing a 5% to 15% chance of hitting 80 degrees on Monday or Tuesday.
If temperatures climb high enough, daily records in parts of Northern California could be threatened around March 16, particularly in Alturas and Montague.
Forecasters said the early spring warmth could also accelerate the melting of remaining mountain snowpack across the region.
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