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NOUS46 KMFR 042127
PNSMFR
ORZ026-050930-

Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Medford OR
127 PM PST Wed Dec 4 2024

...MEDFORD OREGON WEATHER REVIEW: November 2024...

November 2024 was an active month with almost the full range of
winter weather that can happen in the Rogue Valley. The month
started off wet under a trough pattern with near to slightly below
normal temperatures. High pressure developed on the 6th, leading to
a dry spell through around the 10th. During this time, fog made a
nightly appearance, but with a thermal trough at the coast, fog
quickly eroded by late morning with afternoon temperatures warming
to just above seasonal normals.

A more active pattern returned around the 11th as a cold front
pushed through the region and brought some strong winds to the Rogue
Valley. Persistent troughing became a semi-permanent feature from
the middle of the month through all but the last few days of the
month. Multiple fronts moved through the area, with the strongest
series of fronts occurring from the 17th through the 20th. Strong
upper level low pressure remained parked in the Gulf of Alaska,
sending strong fronts into the region. A strong surface low pressure
developed just offshore on the 19th-20th. This low pressure
experienced explosive cyclogenesis (deepening at least 24 mb within
24 hours), and brought hurricane force winds to the coastal waters
as well as strong damaging winds to much of the region. Even here in
the Rogue Valley, which is typically sheltered from the strong
winds, winds gusted to 49 mph. This was followed by a strong, long
duration atmospheric river that dumped several inches of rain along
the coast and across northern California. Snow levels were low
enough to really build the region`s snow pack. Reports at Crater
Lake showed that just over 4.5 ft of snow fell from the 18th-21st.
Additionally, this event was a significant winter storm for the Mt
Shasta City region where almost 3 feet of snow fell. Eventually this
led to roof collapses due to the amount of heavy wet snow.
Meanwhile, Interstate 5 was shut down in both directions due to
heavy snow at both Siskiyou Summit and the Mt Shasta City region.

Though the winds eased, the atmospheric river remained aimed at
southern Oregon/northern California. Snow levels rose, but
precipitation continued. The rising snow levels and continued
precipitation brought flooding concerns to the area, mainly for the
Coquille River, but ponding and standing water was a concern
throughout all counties, including here in Medford. Additional
fronts passed through the region before the upper level trough
finally moved east of the region just in time for the Thanksgiving
holiday. Afterwards, high pressure resumed control which brought a
long spell stagnant air and foggy mornings to the Rogue Valley. The
fog never cleared on the 29th and 30th, resulting in cold daytime
temperatures. In fact, the maximum temperature on the 30th only
reached 32 degrees, which tied the 1956 record for the daily lowest
maximum temperature that day. This persistent cold and foggy pattern
continued into early December.

The average temperature for the month was 44.2 degrees, which is
1.0 degrees below normal. The average maximum temperature was
52.3 degrees, which is 1.7 degrees below normal. The average
minimum temperature was 36.1 degrees, which is 0.3 degrees below
normal. The highest temperature for the month was 67 degrees
which occurred on the 7th. The lowest temperature for the month
was 23 degrees which occurred on the 29.

There were 3 clear days, 10 partly cloudy days, and 17 cloudy
days.

Total precipitation for the month was 4.54 inches which is 1.93
inches above normal. Total precipitation for the water year
(beginning October 1st) is 5.47 inches which is 1.64 inches
above normal. Calendar year precipitation is 17.64 inches which
is 2.74 inches above normal.

The average wind speed for the month was 3.4 mph. The fastest
recorded two-minute wind speed was 35 mph from the southeast
which occurred on the 19th. The peak wind was 49 mph from the
southeast which occurred on the 19th.

The highest pressure for the month was 30.39 inches on the 5th.
The lowest pressure for the month was 29.59 inches on the 22nd.

$$