Climate - Medford (Oregon)

The climate of Medford can be defined as almost Mediterranean, since the winters are quite mild, but are colder than in the Mediterranean climate, while the summers are hot and sunny, but with significant differences in temperature between night and day.
The city is located in southwestern Oregon, 120 km (75 mi) away from the coast, and 400 meters (1,300 ft) above sea level, in a valley where the air tends to stagnate. The Klamath Mountains to the west reduce the influence of the Pacific Ocean, making the climate more continental than on the coast.
Due to its position, isolated from the sea and at low altitude, in summer, Medford is one of the hottest cities in Oregon. On the hottest days of the year, the temperature can reach, and sometimes exceed 40 °C (104 °F). The highest record is 46 °C (114.8 °F) and was set in late June 2021.
The winter is generally not very cold, indeed the days can be mild, even though the temperature can drop below freezing at night. However, there can be foggy periods, in which the temperature remains low even during the day. In addition, occasionally there may be cold waves, in which the temperature can drop below -10 °C (14 °F). In December 1990, it dropped to -20 °C (-4 °F). Snowfalls are rare; in an average year, just 9 cm (3.5 in) of snow fall.
The average temperature of the coldest month (December) is of 4.1 °C (39.4 °F), that of the warmest month (July) is of 23.9 °C (75.1 °F). Here are the average temperatures.

Precipitation amounts to 470 millimeters (18.4 inches) per year: it is therefore quite scarce. It ranges from 5 mm (0.2 in) in the driest month (July) to 90 mm (3.5 in) in the wettest (December). Here is the average precipitation.

Best Time

To visit Medford, you can choose the months of May and September. It is true that it rains a little more often than in summer (especially in May), and that it gets colder at night, but in this way, you can avoid the heat that can occur in summer. September is probably the best month.

Back to the climate of Oregon.

Medford - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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In January, the weather in Medford is usually quite cold. The average temperature is of 4.6 °C (40 °F), with a minimum of 0.3 °C (32.5 °F) and a maximum of 9 °C (48.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -5.5 °C (21.5 °F). However, it dropped to -14.4 °C (6.1 °F) in January 2017.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 16.5 °C (61.5 °F). However, it reached 21.1 °C (70 °F) in January 2014.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 14 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 30 minutes.
The average humidity is 83%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 5 kph (3 mph).

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In February, the weather in Medford is usually quite mild. The average temperature is of 6.7 °C (44 °F), with a minimum of 1.1 °C (33.9 °F) and a maximum of 12.3 °C (54.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -4.5 °C (24 °F). However, it dropped to -7.3 °C (18.9 °F) in February 1994.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 19.5 °C (67 °F). However, it reached 26.1 °C (79 °F) in February 1992.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 35 minutes.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 6 kph (4 mph).

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In March, the weather in Medford is usually mild. The average temperature is of 9.1 °C (48 °F), with a minimum of 2.9 °C (37.2 °F) and a maximum of 15.2 °C (59.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -3 °C (27 °F). However, it dropped to -5.6 °C (21.9 °F) in March 2001.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 24 °C (75 °F). However, it reached 28.3 °C (82.9 °F) in March 1994.
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
The average humidity is 67%.
The average wind speed is 7 kph (4 mph).

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In April, the weather in Medford is usually mild. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 11.6 °C (53 °F), with a minimum of 5 °C (41 °F) and a maximum of 18.1 °C (64.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -1 °C (30.5 °F). However, it dropped to -3.8 °C (25.2 °F) in April 1997.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 28.5 °C (83.5 °F). However, it reached 33.3 °C (91.9 °F) in April 2009.
Precipitation amounts to 40 mm (1.6 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 25 minutes.
The average humidity is 62%.
The average wind speed is 7 kph (5 mph).

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In May, the weather in Medford is usually very mild. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 15.8 °C (60 °F), with a minimum of 8.3 °C (46.9 °F) and a maximum of 23.3 °C (73.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 1.5 °C (35 °F). However, it dropped to -2.2 °C (28 °F) in May 1996.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33.5 °C (92 °F). However, it reached 38.9 °C (102 °F) in May 2008.
Precipitation amounts to 35 mm (1.4 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 35 minutes. So the days are long.
The average humidity is 55%.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).

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In June, the weather in Medford is usually warm. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 19.4 °C (67 °F), with a minimum of 11.3 °C (52.3 °F) and a maximum of 27.5 °C (81.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 5.5 °C (42 °F). However, it dropped to 2.8 °C (37 °F) in June 1991.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 37 °C (98 °F). However, it reached 43.9 °C (111 °F) in June 1992.
Precipitation amounts to 15 mm (0.6 in), distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 10 minutes. So the days are long. June 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
The average humidity is 49%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (5 mph).

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In July, the warmest month of the year, the weather in Medford is usually warm to hot. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 23.9 °C (75 °F), with a minimum of 14.8 °C (58.6 °F) and a maximum of 33.1 °C (91.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 9 °C (48.5 °F). However, it dropped to 5 °C (41 °F) in July 1993.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 40 °C (104 °F). However, it reached 43 °C (109.4 °F) in July 2009.
Precipitation amounts to only 5 mm (0.2 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 55 minutes. So the days are long.
The average humidity is 42%.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).

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In August, the weather in Medford is usually warm to hot. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 23.6 °C (74 °F), with a minimum of 14.4 °C (57.9 °F) and a maximum of 32.8 °C (91.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 9.5 °C (48.5 °F). However, it dropped to 6.7 °C (44.1 °F) in August 1995.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 40 °C (103.5 °F). However, it reached 44.4 °C (111.9 °F) in August 2017.
Precipitation amounts to 10 mm (0.4 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 50 minutes.
The average humidity is 42%.
The average wind speed is 7 kph (5 mph).

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In September, the weather in Medford is usually warm. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 19.9 °C (68 °F), with a minimum of 10.7 °C (51.2 °F) and a maximum of 29.1 °C (84.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 4.5 °C (40.5 °F). However, it dropped to 0.4 °C (32.7 °F) in September 1996.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 37.5 °C (99.5 °F). However, it reached 41.7 °C (107.1 °F) in September 1998.
Precipitation amounts to 10 mm (0.4 in), distributed over 3 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 25 minutes.
The average humidity is 47%.
The average wind speed is 6 kph (4 mph).

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In October, the weather in Medford is usually mild. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 13.4 °C (56 °F), with a minimum of 5.6 °C (42.1 °F) and a maximum of 21.2 °C (70.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -0.5 °C (30.5 °F). However, it dropped to -7.2 °C (19 °F) in October 2002.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31 °C (88 °F). However, it reached 35.6 °C (96.1 °F) in October 1991.
Precipitation amounts to 30 mm (1.2 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 0 minutes.
The average humidity is 61%.
The average wind speed is 5 kph (3 mph).

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In November, the weather in Medford is usually quite mild. The average temperature is of 7.3 °C (45 °F), with a minimum of 2.4 °C (36.4 °F) and a maximum of 12.2 °C (54 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -4 °C (24.5 °F). However, it dropped to -8.9 °C (16 °F) in November 1993.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 21 °C (69.5 °F). However, it reached 28.9 °C (84 °F) in November 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 50 minutes.
The average humidity is 80%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 5 kph (3 mph).

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In December, the coldest month of the year, the weather in Medford is usually quite cold. The average temperature is of 4.1 °C (39 °F), with a minimum of 0.3 °C (32.6 °F) and a maximum of 7.8 °C (46.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -6.5 °C (20 °F). However, it dropped to -16.1 °C (3 °F) in December 2013.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 16 °C (61 °F). However, it reached 20.6 °C (69.1 °F) in December 1993.
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm (3.5 in), distributed over 14 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 5 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
The average humidity is 85%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 5 kph (3 mph).