Hot Weather and Thunderstorm Risk Build Around Roseburg
Hot weather continues in Roseburg through Wednesday, with highs reaching the 90s and a growing chance of thunderstorms east of town. Some storms could bring frequent lightning, gusty winds, small hail and heavy rain.
ROSEBURG, Ore. - Hot temperatures will continue across the Roseburg area Tuesday and Wednesday, followed by an increasing chance of thunderstorms that could bring frequent lightning, gusty winds and small hail.
The National Weather Service in Medford said inland valleys west of the Cascades will generally reach the lower 90s to around 103 degrees during the hottest part of the week. Temperatures are expected to run approximately 5 to 10 degrees above normal.
Tuesday is expected to remain mostly hot and dry around Roseburg, although isolated thunderstorms may develop over higher terrain, particularly near and north of Crater Lake.
The thunderstorm threat increases Wednesday, with the greatest concern focused on the Cascades, eastern Douglas County foothills and areas east of Roseburg. Forecasters said some storms could also reach portions of the valleys west of the Cascades.
Any storms that develop Wednesday are expected to move north to northeast and may produce frequent lightning, small hail, heavy rainfall and strong wind gusts. The strongest storms are most likely over the Cascades, the eastern Douglas County foothills and northwestern Klamath County.
The storms are expected to contain more moisture than typical summer thunderstorms, but their relatively fast movement could still allow lightning to strike outside areas receiving significant rainfall. That could increase the risk of new wildfire starts on dry vegetation.
A Fire Weather Watch remains in effect Wednesday for portions of southern Oregon, including the Umpqua National Forest and the western slopes and foothills of the Cascades.
Thunderstorm chances are expected to decrease Thursday as the unstable air shifts east. Drier weather will settle into the region Friday and continue through the weekend, although afternoon and evening winds are expected to increase.
Temperatures should gradually cool later in the week, but dry conditions, low humidity and stronger winds may allow any new fires to spread quickly.
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