In the heat of the night - Gate House

Ashland Daily Tidings (Ashland, OR — Wayback)

2016-04-08

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By Ryan Pfeil For the Tidings July 01. 2015 12:01AM In the heat of the night Dani Carron, 5, of Medford, cools down at the spray park at Fichtner-Mainwaring in Medford on Friday. Daily Tidings / Jamie Lusch Even low temperatures are breaking heat records in Southern Oregon. The temperature on Sunday did not drop below 76 degrees for 24 hours, according to the National Weather Service. It was the highest low in Medford in the 104 years records have been kept here. The low in Ashland on Sunday was 73. Ashland set a record on Friday for the highest low with a reading of 64. The previous record was set July 14, 1996, when the low temperature did not dip below 75 degrees. The low temperature is gauged each full calendar day ending at midnight.  Roseburg also set an all-time record low with 74 degrees on Saturday. In Northern California , Montague broke its record low with 68 degrees on Saturday and Alturas followed suit with 60 degrees on Sunday. Medford's new record came after back-to-back, record-setting high temperatures of 107 and 104 for June 26 and 27, respectively, and the heat isn't finished with us yet.  Highs in Ashland were 93 and 98. Meteorologists expect high temperatures to be near, tie or beat current records for the rest of the week.  Today's high in Medford is predicted to soar to 107 degrees, just one degree off the record for that date set in 1942. Thursday's forecast of 108 could tie a record set in 1922. The 105-degree high expected on Friday could tie a record set in 1970. There's also a forecast high of 104 on Independence Day, which would break 1972's record of 103. The triple-digit temperatures are expected to endure through the weekend before the heat begins to shift south and it cools off a few degrees here. "It's probably not until Monday, and even then, we're at 98," meteorologist Mike Petrucelli said. Ashland's highs, according to the National Weather Service, are forecast to be 101 Thursday, 102 Friday, 98 Saturday and 95 Sunday. Lows are predicted to be, respectively, 70, 70, 67 and 67. A heat advisory issued by the NWS is in effect from 1 p.m. Wednesday to 11 p.m. Friday. It warns of the risk of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, especially for those who are elderly, sick, young or overweight.  Everyone is advised to drink plenty of water, seek shade and take plenty of rest breaks. Children and pets should not be left in automobiles for any length of time. Fire danger status in Ashland stepped up to high on June 13. Within the city, restrictions that help cut the risk of fire include the banning of outdoor debris burning; prohibition of fireworks and sky lanterns; closure of Lithia Park campfire rings (barbecues are still open if using briquettes or gas grills); and backyard fire pits and pans of any type using wood are not permitted (barbeques are still allowed if using briquettes or gas). Reach reporter Ryan Pfeil at 541-776-4468 or [email protected]. Follow him at www.twitter.com/ryanpfeil. http://www.dailytidings.com/article/20150701/news/150709990 © 2016 Copyright © 1995-2011 Crain Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. Terms of Use Privacy Statement -->