Temperatures passed triple digits on the coast in some areas as Broookings-Harbor experienced the ‘Chetco Effect’ Sunday afternoon. Unofficial reports showed temperatures over 105 degrees at mid-afternoon as people attempted to cool off at beaches and rivers in the area.
In the valley, Medford officially hit a high temperature of 93 degrees late in the afternoon, however, Monday is expected to reach 102 degrees.
According to the National Weather Service, the city of Brookings-Harbor is situated at the mouth of the Chetco River, a northeast-to-southwest oriented river basin draining out of the Siskiyou Mountains.
The “Chetco Effect” occurs when the air flow aloft parallels the river basin, resulting in warming in the interior of the basin. When a downslope, low-level, offshore flow is strong enough, it erodes the low-level marine layer typically present in the town. During these episodes, temperatures in Brookings can match or exceed those from the areas just inland.
With clear skies and a ridge of high pressure forecast to be over southern Oregon until mid-week, weather conditions are expected to continue to be hot.
Brookings:
Crescent City:
Gold Beach:
Cave Junction:
Grants Pass:
Medford:
