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Medford sees warmest January on record By Nick Morgan Updated: Feb 01, 2022 11:25 AM A A With nearly four weeks of clear skies and warm temperatures in Medford, January is one for the record books. Twenty-seven days of last month had temperatures of at least 50 degrees at the Medford airport weather station, making it the warmest January since records began in 1911, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Sven Nelaimischkies. Between Jan. 5 and Jan. 30, the Medford weather station recorded temperatures of at least 50 degrees, according to Nelaimischkies, kicking off a streak that lasted 26 of those 27 days. As of Jan 30th, we've seen 26 days in a row of highs at or above 50 degrees F (and 27 total days in January). That sets two new records. For today, we've reached 49 degrees so far, so we may still be able to get to 27 in a row. #WhatMonthIsIt #January #MFRwx #ORwx pic.twitter.com/IJfJx6Q4MX — NWS Medford (@NWSMedford) January 31, 2022 Monday broke the streak at 49 degrees. The high on Jan. 4 was 45 degrees. The 26-day streak shattered a January 1986 record of 16 days of 50 degrees or warmer in a row. Temperatures reached 60 degrees on Jan. 19, 23 and 25 and reached 61 degrees Jan. 27 and 28. In contrast, January 2021 saw 16 days of 50 degree days, tying it for the 12th warmest January in Medford with 2019, 1985 and 1970. The prior record holder for warmest January was 2010 with 26 days. The third warmest January was 1995 with 25 days. Last week, a Medford weather balloon recorded the weather station’s driest reading for Jan. 26 since readings began in 1948 with 0.16 inches of precipitable water, according to an earlier news report . Since then, meteorologists recorded “just a trace” of precipitation at the Medford airport on Sunday, Nelaimischkies said. Behind the weeks of warm afternoons, clear skies, cold nights and dry conditions is a high pressure system that started Jan. 12, and has shown few signs of letting up. “It’s looking like we might have some weak front in the middle of next week, but that’s not looking really good either,” Nelaimischkies said. The upcoming forecast shows winds ranging from “light” to “calm” Wednesday and Thursday, with a high of 47 Wednesday and a high of 53 Thursday. The extended forecast otherwise calls for the same mix of patchy freezing fog at night and sunny, warm afternoons through Monday. Reach web editor Nick Morgan at 541-776-4471 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @MTwebeditor.