Oregon wakes up under a thick blanket of fog this morning, with headlights glowing through gray air across the Rogue Valley. Dense fog has settled into Medford and surrounding communities, dropping visibility to under a mile and creating hazardous driving conditions during the early hours.
Drivers should slow down and allow extra time, especially along Highway 62, I-5, and rural valley roads. Calm winds and saturated air are locking the fog in place through mid-morning. Temperatures sit near 34°F, so watch for slick spots on bridges and shaded pavement where moisture lingers.
As the fog lifts later today, skies turn partly cloudy and conditions briefly improve. Highs reach the mid-40s, but the quiet stretch does not last long. Meteorologists are tracking a developing Pacific system that brings rain back into southern Oregon by Monday afternoon.
Rain becomes likely Monday and continues into Tuesday, with steady showers at times. Daytime highs climb into the low-to-mid 50s, but cooler nights follow. A warm-to-cool pattern emerges midweek, signaling early winter changes. Snow levels drop Tuesday night into Wednesday, falling to around 4,100 feet. While valley snow is not expected, higher elevations and mountain passes could see accumulating snow.
Holiday travel begins to ramp up this week, and changing conditions may catch drivers off guard. Wet roads by day and cooling temperatures by night raise concerns for flash freezing, especially after sunset. Keep coats, windshield fluid, and extra travel time in mind.
Five-Day Outlook for Medford, OR:
• Today: Patchy dense fog, then partly sunny. High near 45°.
• Monday: Rain likely. High near 54°.
• Tuesday: Rain chances continue. High near 54°.
• Wednesday: Rain likely, snow levels lowering. High near 50°.
• Thursday: Cloudy with rain. High near 51°.
