Medford, OR – Summer-like heat surged across southern Oregon and parts of northern California Wednesday, shattering or tying temperature records and pushing some cities well into the 80s.
According to the National Weather Service in Medford, several locations set new daily records, including Roseburg at 82 degrees and Klamath Falls at 77 degrees. Medford reached 81 degrees, tying a record that dates back to 1928. Farther south, Mount Shasta City and Montague, California both hit 81 degrees, while Alturas climbed to 79 degrees, each marking new record highs for the day.
The unusual warmth is being driven by a strong ridge of high pressure, allowing temperatures to climb 15 to 25 degrees above seasonal averages. Communities across Jackson, Douglas, and Klamath counties experienced conditions more typical of late spring than mid-March.
Residents are encouraged to stay hydrated, limit strenuous outdoor activity during peak afternoon heat, and check on vulnerable neighbors. Snowmelt may also begin to accelerate in higher elevations, leading to increased runoff in streams.
Warm and dry conditions are expected to persist through Friday, with temperatures remaining well above normal before a gradual cooldown arrives heading into the weekend.
