A broad upper level low centered offshore from northern California produced numerous thunderstorms in southern Oregon. One thunderstorm produced a lightning strike that burned a hole through the roof of a home.
Every event with a place to put it. 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 broad upper level low centered offshore from northern California produced numerous thunderstorms in southern Oregon. One thunderstorm produced a lightning strike that burned a hole through the roof of a home.
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 May 3, 12:59 PM PST, 1 hour 59 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Medford OR 159 PM PDT Sun May 3 2026 .DISCUSSION...Radar returns are showing activity developing over southeast Klamath County early this afternoon, following westward flow wrapping around a cutoff low. Activity looks to increase later into the afternoon, especially over Siskiyou County. Northwest flow aloft is expected to move activity over Jackson and Josephine counties. Curry and Douglas counties may see some activity as well. Overall rainfall amounts are fairly negligible, but periods of moderate to heavy rainfall are possible under any thunderstorm. This may be more likely in the Illinois Valley, which has estimates of 0.25 to 0.75 inches of rainfall through tonight. Thunderstorms may also bring erratic gusty winds as well as lightning. Rain showers may continue into tonight but should dissipate by early Monday morning. Another round of thunderstorm activity is expected on Monday afternoon and evening. With the cutoff low farther to the east, most activity is expected over Siskiyou and Modoc counties. Southern Lake and Klamath counties may also see some activity. Modeled CAPE values are somewhat moderate, in the 400-600 J/Kg range. This is enough to support additional thunderstorms but doesn't imply severe activity. Rain showers are expected as well, with amounts in the 0.2 to 0.5 inch range possible along the Lake/Modoc southern border. An upper ridge settles into place through the day Tuesday and looks to remain in control of conditions through the rest of the forecast period and beyond. The Oregon coast is forecast to be about 5 degrees above seasonal norms, with highs in the mid 60s. Inland areas are forecast to be 10 to 15 degrees above normal. Areas east of the Cascades as well as the Umpqua Valley have forecast highs in the high 70s to low 80s, while other west side valleys could reach the mid 80s. A passing front could flatten the ridge somewhat, bringing a bit of relief into Friday and Saturday before temperatures rebound on Sunday. NBM probabilistic data keeps Medford out of the 90s for this week, but has 40-60% chances for next Sunday and into the start of the following week. -TAD && .AVIATION...03/18Z TAFs...VFR conditions prevail across most of the region with mid and high level clouds streaming in from the south. Along the coast, LIFR conditions in fog will persist through much of the morning. Marine stratus will be rather persistent today, but should lift to at least IFR during the afternoon hours before fog and low ceilings fill back in this evening and overnight. Another round of shower/thunderstorm activity is expected this afternoon and evening. Storm motion will be from east to west today with guidance showing the focus of activity occurring across northern California into Jackson/Josephine Counties, and even possibly as far north as Roseburg. Expect gusty and erratic winds in the vicinity of thunderstorms today. && .MARINE...Updated 1200 PM PDT Sunday, May 3, 2026...An extended period of relatively calm conditions begins today, with seas remaining below 10 ft for the next several days. Light south winds and fog are expected through Monday night, with gradually diminishing seas. Moderate north winds return by Thursday, with stronger north winds possible late next weekend with the return of the thermal trough. && .MFR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... OR...None. CA...None. PACIFIC COASTAL WATERS...None. &&
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Medford OR
112 PM PDT Sun May 3 2026
ORZ025-032045-
Eastern Douglas County Foothills OR-
112 PM PDT Sun May 3 2026
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of east central Douglas
County through 145 PM PDT...
At 112 PM PDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Soda Springs Reservoir, or 27 miles south of Oakridge, moving south
at 15 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 30 mph and half inch hail possible.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Toketee Falls, Boulder Flat Recreation Site, Soda Springs Reservoir,
Horseshoe Bend Campground, and Eagle Rock Campground.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 4342 12252 4337 12240 4317 12243 4324 12268
TIME...MOT...LOC 2012Z 021DEG 11KT 4334 12248
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH
BPNSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Medford OR
137 PM PDT Sun May 3 2026
ORZ025-032100-
Eastern Douglas County Foothills OR-
137 PM PDT Sun May 3 2026
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of central Douglas
County through 200 PM PDT...
At 137 PM PDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Scaredman Recreation Site, or 28 miles southwest of Oakridge, moving
southeast at 5 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 30 mph and half inch hail possible.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Scaredman Recreation Site, Bogus Creek Recreation Site, and
Steamboat.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 4330 12264 4331 12282 4343 12282 4344 12267
TIME...MOT...LOC 2037Z 336DEG 4KT 4338 12273
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH
BPNSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Medford OR
324 PM PDT Sun May 3 2026
ORZ023-025-026-032315-
Jackson County OR-Eastern Douglas County Foothills OR-
Central Douglas County OR-
324 PM PDT Sun May 3 2026
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of south central
Douglas and northwestern Jackson Counties through 415 PM PDT...
At 324 PM PDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Three C Rock Campground, or 34 miles southeast of Roseburg, moving
southwest at 20 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 30 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of south central
Douglas and northwestern Jackson Counties.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 4298 12282 4288 12271 4262 12304 4281 12323
TIME...MOT...LOC 2224Z 052DEG 17KT 4289 12283
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH
ANHSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Medford OR
335 PM PDT Sun May 3 2026
ORZ026-028-032315-
Siskiyou Mountains and Southern Oregon Cascades OR-Jackson County OR-
335 PM PDT Sun May 3 2026
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of south central
Jackson County through 415 PM PDT...
At 335 PM PDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Emigrant Lake, or near Ashland, moving southwest at 15 mph. This
includes portions of I-5 from Phoenix to south of Ashland in Jackson
County.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 30 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Ashland, Talent, and Phoenix.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 4233 12258 4222 12250 4210 12275 4223 12296
TIME...MOT...LOC 2235Z 059DEG 11KT 4222 12261
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH
ANHThe Medford radar (KMAX), 14 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 22:58 UTC.
1 lightning. Local standard time, as filed.
A thunderstorm in the city of Ashland produced a lightning strike that burned a hole in the roof of a home.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Oregon in 2026Every state in 2026This day in weather historyWarnings in Oregon, May 2026
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: 1324269.