Alert archive / Oregon / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2020

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 20, NWS Medford, OR

August 5, 2020Klamath County, Oregon

NWS Medford, OR issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Aug 5, 2020, 3:43 PM PDT for Klamath County, Oregon. It was in force for 32 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Aug 5, 2020, 3:43 PM PDT (22:43 UTC)
Expired
Aug 5, 2020, 4:15 PM PDT
In force
32 min
Issued by
NWS Medford, OR
Area
Storm-based polygon
Hail
1.0 in
Wind
50.0 mph

County Klamath County, OR

The radar

The Medford radar (KMAX), 110 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:48 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

The nearest sounding before it

Medford/Jackson, OR (KMFR), launched 12:00Z, 10.7 hours before the alert went out and 101 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Medford/Jackson, OR at 12:00Z on 2020-08-05Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Medford/Jackson, OR at 12:00Z on 2020-08-05The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -6 square meters per square second.1939Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
1118 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
21 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-6 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
34 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this severe thunderstorm warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Medford, OR wrote its last area forecast discussion before this severe thunderstorm warning went out at Aug 5, 2:44 PM PDT, 59 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Aug 5, 2:44 PM PDT, 59 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Medford OR
244 PM PDT Wed Aug 5 2020

.DISCUSSION...A 18z sounding from the IMET on the July fire
complex showed similar instability and lapse rates to the model
data, but the shear was 5kt higher for all elements. This
increases confidence that any thunderstorms in Modoc, Lake, and
eastern Klamath Counties will be capable of producing hail nearing
one inch. These storms could also have strong outflow winds with
them as well. Siskiyou County is still not showing an environment
as capable of the one inch hail, but pea sized hail should be
anticipated with any thunderstorm.

Thursday morning, increased QPF along the coast by a few
hundredths, so areas from Coos Bay north could see up to one tenth
of accumulation, with areas from Port Orford north receiving
around 0.05" of accumulation. The front looks to hold together
more than has been shown the past few days, so northern Douglas
County could also observe a few hundredths of rain. However, it is
more likely this will result from accumulating drizzle and be
contained more to higher elevations in the mid-morning. The front
will also bring strong west winds along and east of the Cascade
crest.

Following this, the weather mellows out onshore, but a strong
thermal trough takes up over the marine waters and is likely to
cause gale force winds. Offshore flow looks modest with easterly
850 to 825 mb winds around 20 to 25 knots. Temperatures will warm
into the new week for the whole area. Highs are expected to hit 99
on Monday in Medford with 106 expected in Happy Camp and Somes
Bar. No heat related advisories are anticipated at this time, but
if overnight lows continue to warm as the afternoon highs have, a
short duration advisory may be considered.

There are indications of a trough returning early next week. Most
solutions maintain an open wave pattern and the GFS deterministic
has backed off on showing a cutoff low. We will monitor for
trends towards a cutoff low pattern as it is favorable for
thunderstorms, but for now have excluded them from the forecast.
-Miles

&&

.AVIATION...For the 05/18Z TAF Cycle...IFR/MVFR ceilings at the
coast and in the Umpqua Basin will clear by early afternoon to VFR.
We expect IFR conditions (perhaps low MVFR) to return to the
coast/coastal valleys around 02Z and then reach the Umpqua Valley
and KRBG by around 09z, but the KRBG ceilings could be a low VFR
ceiling around 3500 feet. An approaching cold front will bring a
chance for showers to the coast Thursday morning.

Elsewhere, inland areas will have breezy conditions this afternoon,
and VFR conditions are expected except over and near the Scott
Valley and areas east of the Cascades this afternoon into this
evening. In those areas isolated to scattered thunderstorms-some of
which could be strong or even severe-are expected. These
thunderstorms will be capable of gusty outflow winds and, possibly,
micro-bursts. Thunderstorms are possible at KLMT this afternoon, but
those should move east of there by evening.

Over southwest Siskiyou County near the Red Salmon Fire there's
likely to be some local MVFR visibility restrictions due to smoke.
~Keene/BTL

&&

.MARINE...Updated 230 PM PDT Wednesday, 5 August 2020...
A borderline Small Craft Advisory event continues south of Port
Orford and beyond about 3 NM from shore, with north winds 20 to 25
kt and seas around 6 ft. Winds and seas will weaken tonight as a
cold front moves through.

The thermal trough will then re-strengthen Thursday afternoon
bringing the return of advisory level conditions south of Cape
Blanco. Friday through the weekend winds and seas are likely to
strengthen further with advisory level winds and seas expected to
expand to areas north of Cape Blanco by Saturday. Gales are likely
for a portion of the area south of Cape Blanco with advisory levels
winds and seas expected for all areas south of the Cape. It should
be noted that Friday through early next week could be a prolonged
upwelling event for the coastal waters with multiple consecutive
days of hazardous conditions. Keene/BTL

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...Updated 230 PM PDT Wednesday 5 August 2020...The
main concern in the forecast period will be scattered thunderstorms
late afternoon into the evening. Scattered coverage is expected in
portions of the east side in Oregon, and western Siskiyou county.

The upper trough is moving inland in northern California.
Instability, mid level moisture and trigger will be higher east of
the Cascades and Western Siskiyou county, and a Red Flag warning is
in place for these areas.

Thursday, the upper trough shifts east and any threat of storms will
be east of the forecast area. Temperatures will be cooler and
relative humidity higher, however gusty winds are expected in the
afternoon due to a combination of a stronger winds aloft and
tightening pressure gradient.

Friday through next weekend should remain dry with a thermal trough
developing along the coast with increasing east to northeast winds
near and at the ridges in fire zones 618, 619 and western 280.

The operational run of the GFS is showing an upper low deepening of
the coast of Central California early next week, with instability in
northern California Monday and Tuesday. However, most models are not
showing this, and have not added this at this time. This will be
something to focus on as we approach this time period. -Sven

&&

.MFR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
OR...Red Flag Warning until 11 PM PDT this evening for ORZ624-625.

CA...Red Flag Warning until 11 PM PDT this evening for CAZ280.

Pacific Coastal Waters...Gale Watch from Friday afternoon through Sunday evening for
     PZZ356-376.
     Small Craft Advisory until 11 PM PDT this evening for
     PZZ356-376.
     Small Craft Advisory from 2 PM Thursday to 2 PM PDT Friday for
     PZZ356-376.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Aug 5, 2:53 PM PDT, 50 minutes before
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Special weather statement, Aug 5, 3:19 PM PDT, 24 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Medford OR
319 PM PDT Wed Aug 5 2020

CAZ080>082-052245-
Central Siskiyou County CA-South Central Siskiyou County CA-
Western Siskiyou County CA-
319 PM PDT Wed Aug 5 2020

...SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT...

At 319 PM PDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 10
miles northeast of Callahan, or 16 miles west of Mount Shasta, moving
north at 5 mph.

Winds in excess of 30 mph will be possible with this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Gazelle.

This includes Highway 3 in California between mile markers 3 and 5.

LAT...LON 4129 12275 4151 12278 4154 12250 4134 12252
      4134 12253 4136 12255 4137 12257 4135 12259
      4134 12258 4132 12259 4133 12263 4132 12265
      4131 12265
TIME...MOT...LOC 2219Z 149DEG 6KT 4137 12262

SK
Special weather statement, Aug 5, 3:27 PM PDT, 16 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Medford OR
327 PM PDT Wed Aug 5 2020

ORZ027-030-052300-
South Central Oregon Cascades-Northern and Eastern Klamath County and
Western Lake County-
327 PM PDT Wed Aug 5 2020

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL AFFECT NORTH CENTRAL KLAMATH COUNTY...

At 327 PM PDT, a strong thunderstorm was located near Walt Haring
Snow Park, or 27 miles southwest of La Pine, moving north at 15 mph.

Nickel size hail is possible with this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Walt Haring Snow Park, Crescent, Chemult and Gilchrist.

This includes the following highways...
 US 97 in Oregon between mile markers 181 and 204.
 Highway 58 in Oregon between mile markers 74 and 86.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. They can relay your report to the National Weather Service
office in Medford.

Persons in campgrounds should consider seeking sturdy shelter until
this storm passes.

LAT...LON 4326 12157 4320 12180 4346 12200 4355 12165
TIME...MOT...LOC 2227Z 160DEG 15KT 4331 12173

STOCKTON
Special weather statement, Aug 5, 3:32 PM PDT, 11 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Medford OR
332 PM PDT Wed Aug 5 2020

CAZ084-052300-
Northeast Siskiyou and Northwest Modoc Counties CA-
332 PM PDT Wed Aug 5 2020

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NORTHEASTERN SISKIYOU COUNTY
UNTIL 400 PM PDT...

At 331 PM PDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 9
miles south of Lower Klamath Wildlife Refuge, or 24 miles south of
Klamath Falls, moving north at 5 mph.

Nickel size hail will be possible with this storm.

This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of northeastern
Siskiyou County.

LAT...LON 4173 12158 4173 12180 4196 12181 4195 12151
TIME...MOT...LOC 2231Z 185DEG 12KT 4187 12168

SK

The office that day

Everything else NWS Medford, OR issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Aug 5, 2:39 AM PDTGale WatchMFR12 hr
Aug 5, 2:39 AM PDTSmall Craft AdvisoryMFR20 hr
Aug 5, 2:39 AM PDTSmall Craft AdvisoryMFR4 days
Aug 5, 2:18 PM PDTGale WarningMFR4 days
Aug 5, 2:53 PM PDTSpecial Weather StatementMFR22 min
Aug 5, 3:27 PM PDTSpecial Weather StatementMFR33 min
Aug 5, 3:32 PM PDTSpecial Weather StatementMFR28 min
Aug 5, 3:50 PM PDTSpecial Weather StatementMFRKlamath25 min
Aug 5, 3:54 PM PDTSpecial Weather StatementMFR36 min
Aug 5, 3:59 PM PDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMFRKlamath19 min
Aug 5, 4:13 PM PDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMFRKlamath20 min
Aug 5, 4:42 PM PDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMFRKlamath33 min
Aug 5, 4:53 PM PDTAreal Flood AdvisoryMFRLake3 hr
Aug 5, 2:59 PM PDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMFRSiskiyou31 min
Aug 5, 3:19 PM PDTSpecial Weather StatementMFRSiskiyou26 min
Aug 5, 4:06 PM PDTSpecial Weather StatementMFRSiskiyou24 min
Aug 5, 4:18 PM PDTSpecial Weather StatementMFRSiskiyou42 min
Aug 5, 4:36 PM PDTSpecial Weather StatementMFRSiskiyou39 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Oregon, 2020Every severe thunderstorm warning in 2020

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.