Medford, Oregon – Isolated thunderstorms threaten parts of southern Oregon Tuesday afternoon and night, with lightning and gusty winds up to 55 mph raising concerns for power outages and wildfire starts from Klamath Falls to Lakeview.
According to the National Weather Service in Medford, a wide area—including Chiloquin, Crater Lake, Alturas, and Fort Rock—remains under a “Limited” lightning risk through 5 a.m. Wednesday. Satellite data shows cumulus clouds building, but only a 10% to 20% chance exists for storms to fully develop tonight. If storms form, quick-moving cells could deliver strong wind gusts and cloud-to-ground lightning, mainly east of I-5 and along Highway 97.
Drivers near Klamath Falls, Chiloquin, and Lakeview should watch for sudden wind gusts, possible downed limbs, and localized power issues into Wednesday morning. Residents are urged to avoid outdoor activities during storms, charge phones ahead of time, and stay alert for fire starts, especially near dry brush and forested areas. This marks the first notable lightning risk in July for this region, coming amid heightened summer fire danger.
The limited lightning threat continues overnight. More updates will follow if thunderstorm development increases or new advisories are issued.
