Ashland top temp forecast to be 106 on Monday; triple digits forecast through Thursday
By Morgan Rothborne, Rogue Valley Times
A heat wave arriving Sunday will threaten and possibly break previous temperature records and last several days, and the National Weather Service is advising Rogue Valley residents to be extremely cautious.
A red flag warning effective 4-8 p.m Monday was announced Sunday afternoon by the NWS Medford office. A red flag warning means critical fire weather conditions are occurring or will shortly. Any fire that starts could spread rapidly and become life threatening.
Temperatures from Sunday to Thursday are expected to be in the triple-digits, said Christine Riley, a meteorologist with the NWS Medford office.
“We always advise people to avoid going out in the heat of the day, but if you have to, stay in the shade. Stay really hydrated, wear light, loose-fitting clothes and check on vulnerable populations,” she said Friday.
The most serious aspect of the heat wave is its duration, Riley said.
“It’s not just one or two days. We’re talking several days in a row, and we’re not going to get a lot of overnight cooling,” she said.
The office on Friday evening also issued a fire weather watch for 2 p.m. through 8 p.m. Monday, due to what are expected to be strong gusty winds and low relatively humidity. Winds of 10-20 mph with gusts of 20-25 mph are forecast during the red flag period, with humidity at a low 10-15%.
“A strong ridge will build in over the region beginning Sunday, with temperatures expected to rise well into the triple digits for most locations west of the Cascades,” according to the NWS bulletin. “Dry air will produce low afternoon humidities, and when combined with afternoon and evening
winds, critical fire weather conditions are possible.”
The predicted minimum high and low temperatures in Medford will either approach or break records over the week, Riley said.
Monday’s minimum predicted low of 74 would break the previous 2021 record of 70, while the daytime temperature forecast at 107 will approach the previous record of 108 set in 2021, Riley said.
Tuesday’s forecast of 108 would tie the previous record set in 2020 for that date. The forecast minimum temperature of 74 easily surpasses the previous record of 71 set in 2021, Riley said.
Wednesday’s forecast of 108 would break the previous 1977 record of 107, she said, adding that Thursday is expected to be 105, which would tie the previous record from 1992.
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In June 2023, the city of Ashland switched the alert notification system from Nixle to the Citizen Alert Everbridge system. Everbridge Citizen Alert will allow the city to continue to send out alerts during an emergency, or for advisories such as power outages, smoke or street closures. To sign up, go to ashland.or.us/Alerts. More information about evacuation preparedness is available on the city’s Emergency Preparedness web page.
Ashland highs Sunday through Friday are forecast to be 102 Sunday, 106 Monday, 103 Tuesday, 103 Wednesday, 101 Thursday and 94 Friday, according to the NWS forecast as of Sunday afternoon. Lows Sunday through Friday nights are forecast to be 68, 70, 68, 69, 65 and 61, respectively, in Ashland.
To stay cool throughout the heat wave, Rogue Valley residents have a multitudes of rivers and lakes to enjoy. Even within urban areas, residents have a variety of options to beat the heat.
Ashland is providing a cooling shelter from 1 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 13, at the Ashland library, 410 Siskiyou Blvd.
Shelter will also be available 1-8 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at First Presbyterian Church of Ashland, 1615 Clark Ave., Ashland (just southeast of the corner of Siskiyou Boulevard and Walker Avenue).
Cooling shelter hours are dependent on volunteer availability, and well-behaved pets are allowed, according to a news release from the city of Ashland.
Medford is partnering with ACCESS to offer a cooling shelter at the former Kelly Shelter at 324 W. 6th St. The shelter will be open from noon to 8 p.m. daily from Sunday, Aug. 13, to Tuesday, Aug. 15. The shelter will include a cooling area for pets, according to the city of Medford’s website.
Medford also has set up text notifications for citizens who would like to be notified when warming or cooling shelters are opened, according to a press release Friday. Text MED4SHELTERS to 888777 to receive the latest on severe weather event shelters in Medford.
Medford boasts six splash pads at Pear Blossom Park, the Lone Pine Spray Park, Lewis Park, Hawthorne Park, Oregon Hills Park and Fichtner-Mainwaring Park.
In Ashland, residents can cool off at Garfield Park’s splash pad, while Central Point residents can go to the Don Jones Memorial Park splash pad. Eagle Point, meanwhile, has its own Eagle Point Spray Park.
Reach reporter Morgan Rothborne at [email protected]. This story first appeared in the Rogue Valley Times. Bert Etling of Ashland.news contributed to this report.
Aug. 12 update: Story updated to add Ashland cooling center availability Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
Aug. 13 update: Story updated to include red flag warning and latest temperature forecasts.
