Weather in Medford, Oregon
Shoots and Sprouts Rise in Ranks. Day 58 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
- TodayMay 16Overcast—62°48°
- SundayMay 17Overcast—65°44°
- MondayMay 18Clear—73°45°
- TuesdayMay 19Overcast—77°45°
- WednesdayMay 20Overcast—78°48°
- ThursdayMay 21Partly Cloudy—85°49°
- FridayMay 22Overcast—86°53°
- PM 2.5
- 2.3 μg/m³
- PM 10
- 3.3 μg/m³
- NO₂
- 0.4 μg/m³
- Ozone
- 87.0 μg/m³
- UV Index
- 2.1 Low
Flowers blooming in late autumn, a sure sign of a bad winter coming.
- Moonrise
- 12:13 PM
- Moonset
- 2:47 AM
- In sign
- ♉︎ Taurus
Shoots and Sprouts Rise in Ranks
Medford at a glance
- Today vs. normal: 8°F below the seasonal normal for this latitude
- Last frost: April 30 (climatological average for this latitude)
- Microseason: 28 of 72, May 16–20
- Planting window: Direct sow okra, melons, and southern peas. Thin carrot rows.
Right now in the garden
Cool-season window is open
As of May 16, the cool-season window is open or about to open. Direct-sow peas, lettuce, spinach, radishes, and brassicas now. Hold off on warm-season crops until 1–2 weeks after the last spring frost (around May).
Planting calendar
| Month | Plant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| January | — | — |
| February | — | — |
| March | — | — |
| April | — | — |
| May | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| June | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes, tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| July | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| August | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash, fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| September | fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| October | — | winter squash, tomatoes (last) |
| November | — | — |
| December | — | — |
A year in weather
July brings Medford's warmest temperatures at around 75°F mean, while December delivers the coldest at approximately 39°F. December also marks the wettest period with 3.5 inches of rainfall, contrasting sharply with July's dry 0.2 inches.
| Month | Mean temp | Precip | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 40° | 2.7″ | 7 |
| February | 44° | 2.0″ | 5 |
| March | 48° | 1.8″ | 6 |
| April | 53° | 1.5″ | 5 |
| May | 60° | 1.3″ | 4 |
| June | 67° | 0.7″ | 2 |
| July | 75° | 0.2″ | 1 |
| August | 75° | 0.3″ | 1 |
| September | 68° | 0.5″ | 1 |
| October | 56° | 1.2″ | 3 |
| November | 45° | 2.6″ | 7 |
| December | 39° | 3.5″ | 8 |
Regional context
Medford falls within a warm-summer Mediterranean climate region, sharing temperature ranges, seasonal patterns, and growing conditions with other nearby cities in this climate zone.
Similar climates: Portland, OR, Eugene, OR, Salem, OR, Bend, OR, Gresham, OR.
Naturalist notes
By late May, wild lupines begin their purple bloom across the Rogue Valley's meadows.
Red-winged blackbirds establish territories in wetland areas during early spring months.
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in Medford?
- Spring's final frost usually occurs around mid-May in Medford, while the first fall frost returns around mid-October.
- What is the rainy season in Medford?
- December brings the heaviest rainfall at approximately 3.5 inches on average, contributing to the city's annual total of roughly 18 inches.
- What is the warmest month in Medford?
- July typically records the highest temperatures, with averages around 75°F.
- What is the coldest month in Medford?
- December usually brings the lowest temperatures, averaging about 39°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in Medford?
- Cool-season crops like peas and lettuce can be planted around the last spring frost in mid-May, while warm-season crops such as tomatoes and peppers should wait 1–2 weeks after.
- How many rainy days does Medford get?
- Medford experiences approximately 51 rainy days per year on average.
- What hardiness zone is Medford?
- Medford's USDA hardiness zone depends on its lowest average winter temperature; the USDA's online lookup tool using the city ZIP code provides the current zone designation.
Climate
Medford, Oregon experiences a warm-summer Mediterranean climate. January temperatures hover near 40°F while July averages reach 75°F, creating a 35°F seasonal swing.
Annual precipitation totals about 18 inches, falling across roughly 51 rainy days throughout the year.
Weather patterns here follow the city's latitude at 42.3°N, along with proximity to large water bodies and elevation. These factors determine what grows in the area, when frost occurs, and daily weather conditions.