Climate change in Medford, Oregon

Climate change is affecting locations like Medford in a variety of ways. In fall, these impacts include changes to fall foliage, heavier rain, and more frequent fire weather.

Explore these pages to learn how people in Medford are at risk in a warming world.

Since 1970, average annual temperatures in Medford have gotten 4.0°F warmer, reflecting an overall warming trend.

Warming puts people and ecosystems at risk from more frequent and intense extreme weather.
Overall, the contiguous U.S. is about 2.8°F warmer today than in 1970, based on average temperatures.
Data source: NOAA ACIS

Since 1970, Medford's annual precipitation has decreased by 1.6 inches.

Climate change is supercharging the water cycle and bringing heavier precipitation extremes across the U.S.
For every 1°F of warming, the air can hold 4% more moisture, increasing the chances of heavier downpours that contribute to flash flooding hazards.
Data source: NOAA ACIS

As of October 9, 2026, Medford has experienced 28 days this year with temperatures made twice as likely by climate change.

This is according to the Climate Shift Index (CSI), which quantifies the influence of human-caused climate change on daily average temperatures. Temperatures on these days had a CSI level 2 or higher, which indicates local temperatures were at least two times more likely due to climate change.
The CSI ranges from -5 to +5. Positive levels indicate temperatures made more likely due to climate change (while negative scores indicate conditions made less likely).
Data source: Climate Shift Index

Medford's climate threats in include:

Medford has experienced a 1% change in hourly rainfall intensity since 1970.

As the climate has warmed over recent decades, the most extreme precipitation days have become more intense across the U.S.
This data uses the simple hourly rainfall intensity index, or the total annual rainfall amount divided by the total hours of rainfall each year (inches per hour). An increase indicates more rain is falling per hour. NOAA’s Rain Rate Visualizer videos show various hourly rainfall rates.
Data source: NOAA ACIS

About 99% of Oregon is currently in drought or abnormally dry.

Rising temperatures are worsening the risk of drought in parts of the U.S.
Droughts can lead to crop failure or pasture losses, impact water supplies, affect public health, degrade ecosystems, and increase the amount of fuel for wildfires by drying grasses and forests.
The map shows the percentage of land area that is abnormally dry (category D0) or in drought (categories D1-4). This is according to the U.S. Drought Monitor's drought classification scale.
Data source: U.S. Drought Monitor

Medford has experienced 2 more fire weather days since 1973.

Climate change is causing more frequent fire weather — a combination of hot, dry, windy conditions that prime the landscape for wildfires to ignite and spread
Wildfire seasons are lengthening and intensifying, particularly in the western U.S.
Source: NOAA Local Climatological Data

Since 1970, average fall temperatures in Medford have gotten 4.0°F warmer, reflecting an overall warming trend.

Fall warming means that risky heat, fire weather, and allergies linger later into the year.
Data source: NOAA ACIS

Explore some ways climate change is affecting Medford in fall

Impacts to fall color

Conditions that trigger fall color are shifting with climate change.

Key concepts:

Foliage depends on temperature, day length, and rainfall — as well as other conditions including extreme weather events.
Cool fall nights can boost color, but they have warmed 2.7°F (1970–2023) in 212 U.S. locations.
Warmer falls can delay or shorten peak foliage.

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Heavier rainfall rates

Heavier rain threatens people, ecosystems, and infrastructure nationwide.

Key concepts:

Climate change is supercharging the water cycle, driving heavier rainfall and flood risk.
126 U.S. cities (88%) have seen an increase in hourly rainfall intensity since 1970.
Increases have occurred in every U.S. region but are highest in the Upper Midwest, Northern Rockies & Plains, and Ohio Valley.
Heavier rain threatens people, ecosystems, and infrastructure nationwide.

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More fire weather

Wildfire seasons are lengthening and intensifying.

Key concepts:

Climate Central analyzed U.S. fire weather (hot, dry, windy conditions) from 1973–2024.
Wildfire seasons are lengthening and intensifying, especially in the West.
Fire weather is rising most in spring nationwide

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Impacts to food prices

Extreme events fueled by climate change can damage crops, reduce yields, and disrupt supply chains.

Key concepts:

Food and climate change are closely linked. Food systems account for about one-quarter of all heat-trapping pollution.
Meanwhile, extreme events fueled by climate change can damage crops, reduce yields, and disrupt supply chains — all of which can drive food prices higher.
The availability, quality, and affordability of food reflect a complex set of climatic and socioeconomic factors. Emerging research is providing insight into the role of climate change.

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More graphics about Medford and climate change

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Climate change in Medford, Oregon

Medford's climate threats in fall include:

Explore some ways climate change is affecting Medford in fall

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Medford's climate threats in include: