Friday should be the peak day for activity but storms expected on Saturday as well. Some storms could become strong or severe.
A low pressure system is expected to create conditions that encourage thunderstorm development Friday and Saturday. The most active day should be Friday. Some storms could become severe as conditions will support organized storm development.
Significant lightning is expected during this time period raising concerns about possible new fire starts.
A significant cool down is also expected with highs barely reaching the 70’s on Saturday here locally.
A warmup and return to “normal” weather for this time of year is expected after the weekend.
Isolated thunderstorms are possible this afternoon as well, but the majority of the activity is expected over the weekend.
Fire weather warnings have been or will be posted in the region.
Friday severe weather risk outlook: Yellow shows slight risk of severe storms, dark green marginal risk of severe storms, light green indicates areas expected to develop non severe thunderstorms.
Fire Weather Watch issued August 07 at 9:29PM PDT until August 09 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Medford
…Increasing Fire Weather Risk Thursday and Friday…
.Another period of gusty winds and low relative humidity will develop Thursday afternoon and evening in the Fremont National Forest in south-central Oregon as well as the Klamath and Modoc National Forest in northeast California. Isolated thunderstorms will develop Thursday afternoon and evening in northern Klamath and Lake Counties, and also from the Warner Mountains eastward. Then, low pressure will move up from the south on Friday and could bring frequent lightning on dry fuels late Friday morning into Friday evening. Thunderstorms are expected to produce little or no rainfall to start, then the chance for wetting rain will increase Friday evening. Showers and isolated thunderstorms will continue Friday night into Saturday as the system moves onshore.
…RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM TO 9 PM PDT THURSDAY FOR STRONG WINDS AND LOW RH FOR FIRE ZONE 284 IN CALIFORNIA AND 624 IN OREGON…
…FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH FRIDAY EVENING FOR ABUNDANT LIGHTNING ON DRY FUELS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 284 IN CALIFORNIA AND 624 IN OREGON…
The National Weather Service in Medford has issued a Red Flag Warning for strong winds and low relative humidity, which is in effect from 2 PM to 9 PM PDT Thursday for fire weather zones 284 in California and 624 in Oregon. The Fire Weather Watch for abundant lightning on dry fuels for Friday morning through Friday evening for fire weather zones 284 and 624 remains in effect.
* Impacts: Strong, gusty wind with low relative humidity and high fire danger will likely contribute to a significant spread of any new and existing fires Thursday afternoon and evening. On Friday, abundant lightning on dry fuels may produce numerous new starts that pose a threat to life and property, and may overwhelm initial attack capabilities. However, wetting rainfall may occur under cores of thunderstorms.
* Affected area in the Red Flag Warning for strong winds and low relative humidity: In Northern CA… The Klamath National Forest in northeast portions of fire zone 284. In South Central OR… The Fremont National Forest in south-central portion of fire zone 624.
* Affected area in the Fire Weather Watch: In Northern CA… the western part of Fire Zone 284 west of highway 97. In South Central OR… Fire Zone 624 mainly north and west of Kalamth Falls.
* Thunderstorms: Beginning late Friday morning, increasing in coverage through the afternoon and evening. Lightning coverage could increase to scattered as the day progresses.
* Winds Friday afternoon and evening: Generally south to southwest at 10 to 20 mph, but gusty and erratic winds are possible in the vicinity of showers and thunderstorms. Precautionary/preparedness actions…
* A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions will occur shortly.
* A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible Red Flag Warnings. &&
