Thunderstorm Chances Increase Across Southern Oregon, With Douglas County in Focus Thursday

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ore. — A shift in the weather pattern is expected to bring several days of showers and possible thunderstorms to Southern Oregon, with Douglas County expected to see its highest storm chances on Thursday, according to the National Weather Service in Medford.

Forecasters said the region is entering a more active stretch as low pressure moves toward the Northern California coast and lingers through Friday. That setup is expected to create afternoon and evening chances for showers and thunderstorms through the end of the workweek.

While storm chances begin Wednesday, the greatest concern for Douglas County is expected Thursday, when much of the area from the western Cascade foothills westward, including Douglas County, could see a 60 to 80 percent chance of thunderstorms during the afternoon and evening.

The weather service said severe weather is not expected at this time, but any thunderstorm could still bring dangerous lightning, gusty and erratic outflow winds of 30 to 40 mph, and brief heavy downpours under stronger cells.

Storm chances are expected to continue Friday, though forecasters said instability may not be as strong as Thursday. Temperatures are also expected to cool, with more cloud cover and daytime highs dropping by around 5 to 10 degrees compared with the recent warm stretch.

A second weather pattern is expected to take over by the weekend as a colder low pressure system drops south from the Gulf of Alaska. That change is forecast to reduce thunderstorm activity somewhat, but keep widespread showers in the forecast Saturday into early Sunday. Snow levels are expected to fall to around 4,000 feet Saturday night into Sunday, with 4 to 6 inches of snow possible in the mountains, though little road accumulation is expected.

By early next week, conditions are expected to gradually dry out, with a brief break possible before another round of active weather later next week.