A cold front brought some high winds to the coast. Except for Humbug Mountain, the high winds were limited to the capes.
Every event with a place to put it; 2 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
The episode as NWS MFR wrote it up.
A cold front brought some high winds to the coast. Except for Humbug Mountain, the high winds were limited to the capes.
The local office's own words before the first event, 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 the first event at Mar 15, 12:03 AM PST, 2 hours 42 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEDFORD OR
103 AM PDT SUN MAR 15 2009
.DISCUSSION...15/00Z NAM/GFS IN.
A BROAD LONG WAVE TROUGH WILL REMAIN OFFSHORE DURING THE NEXT
WEEK...AND SHORT WAVE EJECTING FROM THE TROUGH WILL PUSH SEVERAL
SYSTEMS ONSHORE.
THE FIRST OF THESE SYSTEMS WILL PUSH ONSHORE SUNDAY...AND IT
APPEARS TO BE THE WINDIEST AND WETTEST OF THEM. CURRENTLY A HIGH
WIND WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR THE COAST AND A WIND ADVISORY FOR
THE SHASTA VALLEY. THE WINDS WILL PEAK IN BOTH PLACES AROUND NOON
SUNDAY. A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR SNOW IS IN EFFECT FOR CAZ080
AND WINTER WEATHER ADVISORIES FOR SNOW ARE ALSO IN EFFECT FOR
CAZ082/083 AND ORZ025/027/028. HOWEVER...HAVE MADE SOME CHANGES
THERE AND EXTENDED ALL WINTER STORMS WARNINGS/ADVISORIES UNTIL 13Z
MON. SEE LIST BELOW.
HIGH SURF ADVISORIES ARE ALSO UP FOR THE COAST WITH A VARIETY OF
MARINE WEATHER WARNINGS.
THIS FRONT WILL MOVE ONSHORE EARLY SUNDAY AFTERNOON AND FAST ZONAL
FLOW ALOFT WILL SETTLE OVER THE AREA. THIS PATTERN USUALLY
SUPPORTS FAST-MOVING LOW AMPLITUDE SYSTEMS AND THAT WILL BE THE
CASE FOR THIS WEEK. TIMING OF THESE SYSTEMS WILL BE PROBLEMATIC
BUT ONCE THIS FIRST SYSTEM MOVES OUT THE SUBSEQUENT SYSTEMS WILL
NOT BE NEARLY AS WET OR WINDY. WINDS WILL REMAIN BRISK OVER THE
RIDGES THOUGH AND THE MOST PRECIPITATION WILL FALL ON WEST FACING
SLOPES IN THE CASCADES AND COAST RANGES.
A FLAT RIDGE WILL BUILD FROM THE SOUTH WEDNESDAY. THIS RIDGE WONT
BE STRONG ENOUGH TO FORCE THE STORM TRACK NORTH OF THE CWA BUT IT
WILL BRING THE SNOW LEVELS UP AND FORCE THE HEAVIER PRECIPITATION
BACK NORTH.
THE OFFSHORE UPPER TROUGH WILL BEGIN TO EDGE TOWARD THE COAST
THURSDAY AND THIS WILL GRADUALLY BRING THE STORM TRACK SOUTH AND
LOWER THE SNOW LEVELS. THIS TREND WILL CONTINUE UNTIL THE LONG
WAVE TROUGH FINALLY MOVES ONSHORE. JUST WHEN THIS WILL HAPPEN IS
THE SUBJECT OF MODEL DEBATES. THE 15/00Z GFS AND THE 14/12Z ECMWF SAYS
THIS WILL OCCUR NEXT SUNDAY MORNING. THE 14/18Z RUN BRINGS IN A
SLIGHTLY WEAKER TROUGH MONDAY MORNING. EITHER TROUGH WILL BE QUITE
COLD AND EXPECT UNSEASONABLY LOW SNOW LEVELS AND TEMPERATURES WHEN
IT DOES COME IN.
&&
.AVIATION...WIDESPREAD MVFR CIGS AT THE COAST AND THE UMPQUA BASIN
THROUGH SUNDAY. MVFR CIGS WILL SPREAD TO THE CASCADES TONIGHT.
HIGHER TERRAIN WILL BE OBSCURED OVERNIGHT WITH AREAS OF IFR
CIGS/VSBYS. EAST OF THE CASCADES...VFR CONDITIONS WILL PREVAIL
INITIALLY BUT EXPECT AREAS OF MVFR CIGS/VSBYS TO DEVELOP LATER
TONIGHT INTO SUNDAY. STRONG SOUTH TO SOUTHWEST WINDS ARE EXPECTED
AT THE COAST LATE TONIGHT AND EARLY SUNDAY AND GUSTY SOUTHEAST
WINDS ARE EXPECTED IN THE SHASTA VALLEY DURING THE SAME INTERVAL.
&&
.MFR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
OR...WINTER STORM WARNING UNTIL 6 AM PDT MONDAY FOR ORZ025.
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY UNTIL 6 AM PDT MONDAY FOR ORZ030.
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY UNTIL 6 AM PDT MONDAY FOR ORZ027-ORZ028.
HIGH WIND WARNING FROM 5 AM TO 2 PM PDT SUNDAY FOR ORZ021-ORZ022.
HIGH SURF ADVISORY FROM 8 AM TO 6 PM PDT SUNDAY FOR ORZ021-
ORZ022.
CA...WINTER STORM WARNING UNTIL 6 AM PDT MONDAY FOR CAZ080-CAZ082-
CAZ083.
WIND ADVISORY FROM 8 AM TO 2 PM PDT SUNDAY FOR CAZ081.
PACIFIC COASTAL WATERS...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY FOR WINDS UNTIL 5 AM
PDT SUNDAY FOR PZZ350-PZZ356-PZZ370-PZZ376.
HAZARDOUS SEAS WARNING FROM 5 AM SUNDAY TO 5 AM PDT TUESDAY FOR
PZZ350-PZZ356-PZZ370-PZZ376.
GALE WARNING FROM 5 AM TO 2 PM PDT SUNDAY FOR PZZ350-PZZ356-
PZZ370-PZZ376.
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY FOR HAZARDOUS SEAS UNTIL 5 AM PDT SUNDAY
FOR PZZ350-PZZ356-PZZ370-PZZ376.
15/15/16HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEDFORD OR 319 PM PDT SAT MAR 14 2009 ORZ021-022-151800- SOUTH CENTRAL OREGON COAST-CURRY COUNTY COAST- 319 PM PDT SAT MAR 14 2009 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF SOUTHWEST OREGON. .DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT NO SIGNIFICANT WEATHER IS EXPECTED FOR THE REST OF SATURDAY. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY A HIGH SURF ADVISORY WILL BE IN EFFECT BEGINNING 8 AM PDT SUNDAY CONTINUING UNTIL 6 PM PDT SUNDAY. SEE WEATHER MESSAGE FOR SPECIFIC DETAILS. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES. CAZ080-151800- WESTERN SISKIYOU COUNTY- 319 PM PDT SAT MAR 14 2009 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA. .DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW WILL BE IN EFFECT FOR ELEVATIONS ABOVE 4500 FEET BEGINNING 6 PM PDT. SEE WEATHER MESSAGE FOR SPECIFIC DETAILS. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY THE WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW WILL REMAIN IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM PDT SUNDAY. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES. ORZ030-151800- NORTHERN AND EASTERN KLAMATH COUNTY AND WESTERN LAKE COUNTY- 319 PM PDT SAT MAR 14 2009 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF SOUTH CENTRAL OREGON. .DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT NO SIGNIFICANT WEATHER IS EXPECTED FOR THE REST OF SATURDAY. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR HEAVY SNOW WILL BE IN EFFECT FOR ELEVATIONS ABOVE 5000 FEET BEGINNING 2 AM PDT SUNDAY AND CONTINUING UNTIL 7 AM PDT MONDAY. SEE WEATHER MESSAGE FOR SPECIFIC DETAILS. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES. CAZ082-083-151800- SOUTH CENTRAL SISKIYOU COUNTY- NORTH CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST SISKIYOU COUNTY- 319 PM PDT SAT MAR 14 2009 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA. .DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT NO SIGNIFICANT WEATHER IS EXPECTED FOR THE REST OF SATURDAY. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR HEAVY SNOW WILL BE IN EFFECT FOR ELEVATIONS ABOVE 5500 FEET BEGINNING 2 AM PDT SUNDAY AND CONTINUING UNTIL 7 AM PDT MONDAY. SEE WEATHER MESSAGE FOR SPECIFIC DETAILS. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES. ORZ027-151800- SOUTH CENTRAL OREGON CASCADES- 319 PM PDT SAT MAR 14 2009 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF SOUTH CENTRAL OREGON. .DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR HEAVY SNOW WILL BE IN EFFECT FOR ELEVATIONS ABOVE 4000 FEET BEGINNING 6 PM PDT. SEE WEATHER MESSAGE FOR SPECIFIC DETAILS. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY THE WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR HEAVY SNOW WILL WILL REMAIN IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM PDT SUNDAY. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES. ORZ028-151800- SISKIYOU MOUNTAINS AND SOUTHERN OREGON CASCADES- 319 PM PDT SAT MAR 14 2009 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF SOUTH CENTRAL OREGON. .DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR HEAVY SNOW WILL BE IN EFFECT FOR ELEVATIONS ABOVE 4500 FEET BEGINNING 6 PM PDT. SEE WEATHER MESSAGE FOR SPECIFIC DETAILS. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY THE WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR HEAVY SNOW WILL WILL REMAIN IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM PDT SUNDAY. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES. ORZ025-151800- EASTERN DOUGLAS COUNTY FOOTHILLS- 319 PM PDT SAT MAR 14 2009 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF SOUTHWEST OREGON. .DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR HEAVY SNOW WILL BE IN EFFECT FOR ELEVATIONS ABOVE 4000 FEET BEGINNING 6 PM PDT. SEE WEATHER MESSAGE FOR SPECIFIC DETAILS. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY THE WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR HEAVY SNOW WILL WILL REMAIN IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM PDT SUNDAY. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES. SUGDEN
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
2 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.
The ODOT sensor at Humbug Mountain recorded multiple gusts in the 58-63 mph range during this interval. The peak gust was 63 mph, recorded at 15/0300 and 15/0700 PDT.
Observations in adjacent zone ORZ022 did meet warning criteria and winds on the capes in ORZ021 also met warning criteria. Cape Arago reported a gust to 59 mph at 15/0800 PDT and Cape Blanco reported gusts meeting or exceeding warning levels from 15/0610 until 15/1140 PDT with a peak gust to 63 mph at 15/0555 PDT. Based on these observations, it is assumed that winds met warning criteria in some sections of this zone.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Oregon in 2009Every state in 2009This day in weather historyWarnings in Oregon, March 2009
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 152056, 158083.