Week of cold, foggy mornings ahead - News - MailTribune.com - Medford, OR

Mail Tribune (Medford, OR — Wayback)

Document text

Week of cold, foggy mornings ahead Monday Dec 4, 2017 at 4:15 PM Dec 4, 2017 at 4:27 PM Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune @RyanPfeil Cold, foggy mornings are forecast for the Rogue Valley through early next week thanks to a mass of loitering air. The National Weather Service issued an air stagnation advisory Monday that extends through 10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 11. "It's longer than average, but we had one last year that was long, as well," said meteorologist Jay Stockton, referring to a five-day period of air stagnation that affected the Rogue Valley in mid-January 2017. The advisory covers parts of Jackson, Josephine, Klamath, Lake, Douglas and Curry counties, including all inland valleys. Nighttime low temperatures are expected in the mid to high 20s in the valleys, with highs in the 30s to low 40s. Higher up on the ridges, at elevations from 3,000 to 4,000 feet, it will be much warmer. Tuesday's high temperature is expected to be 48 degrees on Sexton Summit and in the low 60s along parts of the South Coast. "We're going for 63 there (Tuesday)," Stockton said of the south Oregon Coast. Because of the stagnant air, woodstove restrictions will be in place for Jackson County. Tuesday will be a "Yellow Day," which means owners of certified wood stoves can burn, but there should be no visible smoke, according to a Jackson County press release. Non-certified woodstoves cannot be used. The restrictions "are likely to continue throughout this week and into next week," the release says. The air inversion will bring morning fog in the valleys, weather officials said. Drivers are urged to take precautions during their morning commute because of the low visibility. Simple steps such as making sure headlights are set at low beam, leaving extra room between vehicles, leaving a little early to reach your destination and making sure your defrosters can fully clear your windows can make a difference, Oregon Department of Transportation officials said. "I see a lot of people who don't have their lights on," ODOT spokesman Gary Leaming said of his own morning commute. Areas close to the Rogue River and other lower-lying spots are typically the most problematic spots for drivers, Leaming said, adding that certain cars are harder to see in the fog. "If you have a dark car, gray car or silver car, you just kind of blend in with everything," he said. — Reach reporter Ryan Pfeil at 541-776-4468 or [email protected]. Follow him at www.twitter.com/ryanpfeil.