MEDFORD, Ore. – The crisp, clear mornings across the Rogue Valley won’t last much longer. A Pacific system is tightening offshore, poised to end the region’s dry streak and usher in a soggy, cooler weekend that hints at the first touches of winter for Southern Oregon’s mountains.
According to the National Weather Service in Medford, today and Thursday will stay mostly sunny and calm, with highs around 72 degrees and light winds. Clouds will build by Friday morning, marking the leading edge of a slow-moving front. Rain chances rise through the afternoon, with steady showers expected after sunset. Roads along I-5 from Grants Pass to Ashland could turn slick by the Friday evening commute.
By Saturday, the system’s core pushes inland, bringing widespread rain and gusty southwest winds. The Rogue Valley could see a half inch of rain, while higher totals are likely across the Siskiyous and western slopes. Snow levels will hover near 4,000 feet—low enough that Mount Ashland and nearby ridges could see the first light accumulation of the season. Sunday remains wet and cool, with highs only near 50 and lingering drizzle through the morning hours.
Residents should plan outdoor work or travel before Friday afternoon. Secure light decorations, clear gutters, and prepare for reduced visibility during heavier showers. For those heading into the mountains, expect colder air, fog, and the possibility of early-season snow on passes by Sunday.
To be fair, it’s not a major storm—but it’s Oregon’s classic fall shift: crisp to damp, golden leaves giving way to rain-slicked streets and that unmistakable scent of the wet season’s return.
Five-Day Forecast for Medford, OR:
Wed: 72/44 – Mostly sunny; calm, pleasant fall day.
Thu: 72/49 – Sunny start; clouds increasing by late evening.
Fri: 65/51 – Cloudy; rain developing late, breezy south winds.
Sat: 53/41 – Rain likely; gusty, colder air moving in.
Sun: 51/41 – Showers linger; cool and damp with early mountain snow.
