Oregon – Cold air sits heavy in the Rogue Valley this morning, pressing fog close to the ground and trapping haze over neighborhoods. The stillness feels deceptive, but it’s exactly what’s allowing air quality to quietly worsen as the year winds down.
According to the National Weather Service in Medford, an Air Stagnation Advisory remains in effect through Wednesday afternoon. Calm winds and a strong temperature inversion are preventing pollutants from dispersing, allowing smoke and vehicle emissions to build near the surface.
Early Monday temperatures hover near 30 degrees, cold enough for freezing fog across Medford and nearby communities. Visibility may drop suddenly along I-5, Highway 62, and local surface roads during the morning commute. Slick patches are possible where moisture freezes before daylight fully breaks.
Conditions improve only slightly during the afternoons, with highs reaching the low to mid-40s. Even then, stagnant air remains locked in place. People with asthma, heart disease, or other respiratory conditions may notice symptoms worsen, especially during extended time outdoors.
Cold nights continue through Tuesday, reinforcing the inversion. To be fair, travel stays mostly dry through midweek, but the combination of freezing fog and poor air quality makes early-morning driving and outdoor activity more difficult. Limit wood burning where possible and reduce vehicle idling to help keep pollution levels lower.
By Wednesday night and New Year’s Eve, clouds thicken and a pattern shift begins. Rain chances increase late Wednesday and into New Year’s Day Thursday. That incoming moisture should help scour out the stagnant air, improving air quality as 2026 begins, though wet roads will replace fog as the primary travel concern.
Additional advisories may be adjusted if conditions persist. Are you noticing thicker fog or haze this morning? Share what you’re seeing as Southern Oregon heads into the New Year.
Five Day Outlook for Medford, Oregon
Monday: Freezing fog early, then partly sunny, high near 44
Monday Night: Dense fog, low near 33
Tuesday: Fog early, then sunny, high near 43
Wednesday: Fog early, then mostly cloudy, high near 42
Thursday: Chance of rain, high near 49
