Medford, Oregon – Residents across southern Oregon should prepare for an increasing risk of thunderstorms through Wednesday as monsoonal moisture spreads into the region, bringing abundant lightning, gusty winds and the potential for new wildfire starts.
According to the National Weather Service in Medford, isolated thunderstorms are expected to develop Tuesday afternoon and evening, with 15% chances across Siskiyou, Modoc, Lake and Klamath counties. The threat increases Wednesday, when a Red Flag Warning takes effect for Lake, Klamath, Jackson and eastern Modoc counties due to the potential for abundant lightning.
Forecasters say thunderstorm chances rise to 25% to 45% across the Red Flag Warning area Wednesday afternoon and evening. Additional 10% to 20% storm chances extend into western Douglas County, western Siskiyou County and eastern Modoc County. Stronger storms are most likely across eastern Douglas County, north of Diamond Lake over the Cascades and northern Klamath County.
Any thunderstorm that develops could produce frequent cloud-to-ground lightning, brief heavy rainfall and erratic wind gusts, creating dangerous conditions for hikers, campers and anyone working outdoors. Lightning can also ignite new wildfires, even where rainfall occurs.
Residents with outdoor plans should have a safe shelter identified before storms develop and leave exposed locations immediately if thunder is heard. Avoid mountain summits, open fields and large bodies of water during thunderstorms.
The unsettled weather pattern is expected to continue through Wednesday evening, and additional fire weather or thunderstorm alerts may be issued as conditions evolve.
