Excessive Heat in Oregon, July 4 to 13, 2024

Name: Excessive Heat in Oregon, July 4 to 13, 2024
Start: 2024-07-04T08:00
End: 2024-07-13T22:00
Location: Oregon

July 4 to 13, 2024 · NWS MFR · 11 events in 11 counties and zones

A persistent ridge over the western states with an associated thermal trough extending from northern California into southern Oregon brought a long-duration heat wave.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 11 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

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The toll

Deaths: 4
Injuries: 0
Property damage: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 11

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.

What happened

The episode as NWS MFR wrote it up.

A persistent ridge over the western states with an associated thermal trough extending from northern California into southern Oregon brought a long-duration heat wave.

What forecasters said that day

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 Jul 4, 3:32 AM PST, 4 hours 28 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jul 4, 3:32 AM PST, 4 hours 28 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Medford OR
432 AM PDT Thu Jul 4 2024

.DISCUSSION...As stated in the previous AFD, here is information on a fire in
southwest Siskiyou County--A wildfire [is] growing within the Marble
Mountains southwest of Shelly Lake near the PCT in south west
Siskiyou County. Siskiyou County Emergency management is requesting
hikers along the PCT to be aware of and avoid this fire.

Overnight satellite shows the hot spot in this area of the new fire
with stratus riding along the central Oregon coast. The lower cloud
deck is starting to reach parts of Coos County this morning,
including Charleston. There are clear skies elsewhere and this will
continue today.

A ridge is present off the coast and will be moving inland towards
southern Oregon the next few days. This will bring the warmest
temperatures of the week to the area. The Chetco effect will be
present this afternoon with highs in the mid-90s near Brookings. On
average, highs will be 5-15 degrees above normal this afternoon.
This translates to 90s with triple digits in more valley locations
west of the Cascades as the heat expands to more west side locations
including the Illinois Valley and Umpqua Basin. Winds will overall
be lighter, so please plan accordingly with these temperatures in
mind before going out to the fireworks.

The heat will be the worst Friday and Saturday. The probability of
reaching highs of 110 degrees in Medford is near 70-80% Friday and
Saturday afternoons. There is also a ~35% probability to reach 115
Saturday in Medford. For reference, 115 is the hottest high on
record for Medford. There will also be a factor of low temperatures
west side only falling to the low to mid-60s Friday and into the
weekend. With this in mind, it is crucial that precautions are taken
to prepare and deal with the heat. With the heat concerns for the
coming days, an Excessive Heat Warning and Heat Advisory exists for
most locations (with an emphasis on valleys) this morning through
Monday evening.

Early next week the ridge will move farther east and temperatures
will fall from the weekend peak, although it will still be warm with
highs in the triple digits for the Rogue and Illinois valleys. -
Hermansen

&&

.AVIATION...04/12Z TAFS...VFR will prevail through the TAF period.
The exception to this is in the Coquille Basin where stratus is
spreading this morning. Gusty breezes at the coast and in the Umpqua
Basin will be present tomorrow.

Smoke from the wildfire in western Siskiyou county has settled into
the valleys tonight, locally lowering ceilings and visibility. Any
smoke tomorrow during the day is expected to be blown generally
south.
-Miles/Hermansen

&&

.MARINE...Updated 230 AM Thursday, July 4, 2024...A strong thermal
trough will maintain strong north winds and steep to very steep and
hazardous seas through this morning. Conditions will gradually
improve later today as the thermal trough pushes inland and expands
northward. North to northeast winds will ease some at this time, but
seas and winds will remain hazardous to small craft with hazardous
warning level seas lingering through this evening for the outer
waters south of Cape Blanco. Conditions improve further on Friday as
winds continue to weaken, but seas will remain steep due to fresh
swell and ongoing wind waves.

A period of improved conditions is expected over the weekend with
sub-advisory conditions likely for at least the inner waters on
Saturday, and possibly all the waters on Sunday. Strong high
pressure aloft will disrupt the thermal trough pattern, keeping
winds in the 10 to 15 knot range. Swell will be low and seas will
remain dominated by fresh swell. The thermal trough rebounds early
next, and hazardous conditions are likely to return at that time.
/BR-y

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...Updated 300 AM Thursday, July 4, 2024...

...Near critical fire weather conditions possible in the afternoons
and evenings through the weekend for much of southern Oregon and
northern California...

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 AM PDT THIS MORNING
FOR EAST WIND WITH POOR OVERNIGHT RH RECOVERY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES
619 AND 620...

Fire weather concerns will remain elevated through the weekend. A
strong thermal trough remains along the coast this morning. This is
resulting in moderate to poor RH recoveries for the upper slopes and
ridges, along with gusty northeast winds of 15-25 mph with gusts 30
to 40 mph. Critical fire weather conditions are occurring for
portions of FWZ 619 and 620 and a Red Flag Warning remains in effect
until 8 AM this morning.

The pattern will transition today as the thermal trough expands
northward and northeast flow weakens. Strong high pressure aloft
will move over the region today and linger overhead through the
weekend. Very hot temperatures (100-110 degrees) and very low (low
teens/single digit) daytime humidities are expected during this time
away from the immediate coast. Recoveries will improve some along
the coast, but will remain in the moderate to poor range across the
area through the weekend. Afternoon breezes will be slightly weaker
than normal today and then fairly typical for Friday. With the heat
and very dry conditions, however, even typically breezy afternoon
conditions could result in dangerous weather that is favorable for
the rapid spread of fire. Near critical conditions are possible for
West Side Valleys for the remainder of the week.

We're keeping an eye on a disturbance expected to move into the
region from California on Saturday and Sunday. While the atmosphere
will be too dry for thunderstorms, this may enhance the afternoon
breezes on those afternoons. This combined with very low daytime
humidities in the low teens and single digits could lead to some
widespread critical fire weather conditions this weekend, including
the Rogue/Applegate Valleys, the Cascades, western and central
Siskiyou County and portions of the East Side. We'll continue to
monitor this development and evaluate the need for any products in
upcoming shifts. /BR-y

&&

.MFR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
OR...Excessive Heat Warning from 8 AM this morning to 9 PM PDT Monday
     for ORZ023>026.

     Heat Advisory from 8 AM this morning to 9 PM PDT Monday for
     ORZ029>031.

     Red Flag Warning until 8 AM PDT this morning for ORZ619-620.

CA...Excessive Heat Warning from 8 AM this morning to 9 PM PDT Monday
     for CAZ080-081.

     Heat Advisory from 8 AM this morning to 9 PM PDT Monday for
     CAZ084-085.

PACIFIC COASTAL WATERS...Small Craft Advisory until 11 PM PDT Friday
     for PZZ350-356-370-376.

     Hazardous Seas Warning until 11 AM PDT this morning for PZZ356-
     370-376.

&&

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

11 excessive heat. Local standard time, as filed.

Excessive Heat, Curry County Coast

When: July 4, 8:00 AM PST to July 6, 4:45 PM PST
Where: Curry County Coast forecast zone
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 42.467, -124.215 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong high pressure brought excessive heat to the Curry County Coast from July 4th through July 6th. The excessive heat extended all the way to the beaches at Brookings with a Chetco Effect of downslope northeast winds. Low temperatures were in the lower 50s to mid 70s, and high temperatures mainly in the lower 80s to mid 90s.

Excessive Heat, South Central Oregon Coast

When: July 4, 12:00 PM PST to July 9, 5:00 PM PST
Where: South Central Oregon Coast forecast zone
Deaths: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 42.979, -123.829 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Strong high pressure brought excessive heat to the coastal/Coquille Valley portion of the south central Oregon coast from July 4th through July 9th. The excessive heat extended all the way to the coast during the peak of the heat wave from July 5th through July 6th. Low temperatures were in the lower 50s to lower 60s, and high temperatures mainly in the mid 80s to mid 90s, except 100 to 107 degrees in the Coquille Valley on July 5th and 6th. Record high temperatures were reached at the Southwest Oregon Regional Airport in North Bend of 84 degrees on July 5th and 86 degrees on July 6th. The Oregon State Medical Examiner's Office reported a potentially heat related death of a 33 year old male on July 7th.

Excessive Heat, Eastern Curry County & Josephine County

When: July 4, 12:00 PM PST to July 13, 10:00 PM PST
Where: Eastern Curry County & Josephine County forecast zone
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 42.417, -123.886 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Persistent high pressure brought excessive heat to Eastern Curry County and Josephine County for 6 consecutive days from July 4th through July 9th, and again on July 13th. Advisory level conditions occurred on July 10th through 12th. During the excessive heat, low temperatures were generally in the lower 50s to lower 60s, and high temperatures from 100 to 110 degrees. But, peak readings were recorded on July 6th of 115 degrees at the Agness RAWS, 112 at the Merlin RAWS, and 114 degrees at the Parkside School in Grants Pass.

Excessive Heat, Jackson County

When: July 4, 12:00 PM PST to July 13, 9:00 PM PST
Where: Jackson County forecast zone
Deaths: 2 direct, 0 indirect
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 42.432, -122.728 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Persistent high pressure brought excessive heat to Jackson County for 6 consecutive days from July 4th through July 9th, and on July 13th. Advisory conditions occurred from July 10th through July 12th. During the excessive heat, low temperatures were generally in the lower 50s to lower 60s, and high temperatures from 100 to 110 degrees. But, peak reading were recorded on July 6th of 112 degrees at the Rogue Valley International Airport, and 113 degrees in the cities of Rogue River and Central Point. Record high temperatures at Rogue Valley International Airport in Medford of 105 degrees on July 4th, 109 degrees on July 5th, 112 degrees on July 6th, 108 degrees on July 7th, 108 degrees on July 8th, and 107 degrees on July 9th. The Oregon State Medical Examiner's Office reported potentially heat related deaths of a 54 year old male on July 6th, and a 55 year old male on July 10th.

Excessive Heat, Central Douglas County

When: July 5, 12:00 PM PST to July 9, 9:00 PM PST
Where: Central Douglas County forecast zone
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 43.235, -123.636 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Persistent high pressure brought excessive heat to central Douglas County for 5 consecutive days from July 5th through July 9th. Low temperatures were generally in the mid 50s to lower 60s, and high temperatures in the mid 90s to 108 degrees. But, a peak reading was recorded on July 6th of 111 degrees at Highway 42 near the Coos County line by ODOT. Record high temperatures were set at Roseburg of 104 degrees on July 5th, 108 degrees on July 6th, 107 degrees on July 7th, 108 degrees on July 8th, and 106 degrees on July 9th.

Excessive Heat, Eastern Douglas County Foothills

When: July 5, 12:00 PM PST to July 13, 9:00 PM PST
Where: Eastern Douglas County Foothills forecast zone
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 43.285, -123.179 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Persistent high pressure brought excessive heat to the Eastern Douglas County Foothills for 5 consecutive days from July 5th through July 9th, and on July 13th. Advisory conditions occurred from July 10th through July 12th. During the excessive heat, low temperatures were generally in the lower 50s to mid 60s, and high temperatures in the mid 90s to 108 degrees. But, a peak reading was recorded on July 6th of 110 degrees at the Buckeye RAWS.

Excessive Heat, South Central Oregon Cascades

When: July 5, 12:00 PM PST to July 13, 9:00 PM PST
Where: South Central Oregon Cascades forecast zone
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 42.801, -122.519 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Persistent high pressure brought excessive heat to the South Central Oregon Cascades for 5 consecutive days from July 5th through July 9th, and on July 13th. Advisory conditions occurred from July 10th through July 12th. During the excessive heat, low temperatures were generally in the lower 50s to lower 60s, and high temperatures in the lower 90s to 105 degrees.

Excessive Heat, Siskiyou Mountains & Southern Oregon Cascades

When: July 5, 12:00 PM PST to July 13, 9:00 PM PST
Where: Siskiyou Mountains & Southern Oregon Cascades forecast zone
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 42.495, -122.645 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Persistent high pressure brought excessive heat to the Siskiyou Mountains and Southern Oregon Cascades for 5 consecutive days from July 5th through July 9th, and on July 13th. Advisory conditions occurred from July 10th through July 12th. During the excessive heat, low temperatures were generally in the lower 50s to mid 60s, and high temperatures in the lower 90s to 105 degrees. But, a peak reading was recorded on July 6th of 110 degrees at the Buckhorn Springs RAWS.

Excessive Heat, Klamath Basin

When: July 6, 12:00 PM PST to July 13, 9:00 PM PST
Where: Klamath Basin forecast zone
Deaths: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 42.686, -121.650 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Persistent high pressure brought excessive heat to the Klamath Basin for 4 consecutive days from July 6th through July 9th, and on July 12th and 13th. Advisory conditions occurred on July 4th and 5th, and on July 10th and 11th. During the excessive heat, low temperatures were generally in the mid 40s to lower 60s, and high temperatures from 95 to 105 degrees. But, a peak reading was recorded on July 6th of 109 degrees at the FW4081 Klamath Falls CWOP station. Record high temperatures were reported at Klamath Falls International Airport of 102 degrees on July 6th, and 101 degrees on July 7th. Records were tied at 98 degrees on July 9th, and 100 degrees on July 13th. The Oregon State Medical Examiner's Office reported a potentially heat related death of a 27 year old male on July 9th.

Excessive Heat, Northern & Eastern Klamath County & Western Lake County

When: July 6, 12:00 PM PST to July 13, 9:00 PM PST
Where: Northern & Eastern Klamath County & Western Lake County forecast zone
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 42.740, -121.018 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Persistent high pressure brought excessive heat to Northern and Eastern Klamath County and Western Lake County for 4 consecutive days from July 6th through July 9th, and on July 12th and 13th. Advisory conditions occurred on July 4th and 5th, and on July 10th and 11th. During the excessive heat, low temperatures were generally in the upper 30s to lower 50s, and high temperatures from the lower 90s to 100 degrees.

Excessive Heat, Central & Eastern Lake County

When: July 6, 12:00 PM PST to July 13, 9:00 PM PST
Where: Central & Eastern Lake County forecast zone
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 42.793, -120.387 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Persistent high pressure brought excessive heat to Central and Eastern Lake County for 4 consecutive days from July 6th through July 9th, and on July 12th and 13th. Advisory conditions occurred on July 4th and 5th, and on July 10th and 11th. During the excessive heat, low temperatures were generally in the lower 40s to lower 60s, and high temperatures from 95 to 102 degrees.

The people who died

As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.

Event	Date	Age	Sex	Where	Kind
Excessive Heat, South Central Oregon Coast	2024-07-07	33	Male	Unknown	Direct
Excessive Heat, Jackson County	2024-07-06	54	Male	Unknown	Direct
Excessive Heat, Jackson County	2024-07-10	55	Male	Unknown	Direct
Excessive Heat, Klamath Basin	2024-07-09	27	Male	Unknown	Direct

What these are

Excessive Heat: Heat at or above the local excessive heat warning criteria, or heat that caused deaths.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Oregon in 2024 Every state in 2024 This day in weather history Warnings in Oregon, July 2024

Sources

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: 1206107, 1206106, 1206109, 1206113, 1206108, 1206110, 1206111, 1206112, 1206114, 1206115, 1206116.