You’d think a January morning in Southern Oregon would feel like a punch to the face, but today in Grants Pass is doing something a bit weird. It's 38°F right now. Clear. Quiet. Honestly, if you’re looking out the window at the Rogue River, it looks peaceful, but there's a literal fog hanging over the valley that’s making things complicated for anyone trying to get to work or hit the I-5.
Basically, we’re dealing with a classic inversion.
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While the current temperature is sitting at 38°F with a light 2 mph breeze coming out of the east, don't let that "clear" sky description fool you. If you're in the low spots, you're likely staring at a wall of white. The National Weather Service has issued a Freezing Fog Advisory that's sticking around until noon. Visibility is dropping below a quarter mile in some spots, which is basically like driving inside a marshmallow, except the marshmallow can freeze to your windshield.
Grants Pass Weather Today: What the Sensors Aren't Telling You
The high today is expected to hit 58°F. That sounds great, right? Almost like spring. But getting there is the hard part. We’ve got a massive air stagnation advisory in effect until January 20th. Because the air isn't moving—literally 2 mph from the southwest later today—all the junk, woodsmoke, and moisture is just sitting in the basin.
The humidity is hovering around 56% right now but was closer to 100% earlier. That’s why everything feels damp even though there's 0% chance of actual rain or snow today. You've probably noticed the air feels "heavy." That's the stagnation. If you have asthma or sensitive lungs, today is a day to maybe keep the windows shut and skip the heavy outdoor cardio until the sun manages to "burn off" the gunk.
The Breakdown of Your Saturday
- Morning (Until Noon): Thick freezing fog. It's cold, it's slick, and it's grey.
- Afternoon: Sunny. This is the payoff. We’ll hit that 58°F peak, and it’ll actually feel pretty decent if you can find a spot out of the shade.
- Evening: Mostly cloudy. Temperatures will start a sharp dive back down to a low of 36°F.
The UV index is a 2. You don’t need to worry about a sunburn, but the shift from 36°F to 58°F is a 22-degree swing. That’s the kind of weather where you start the day in a heavy parka and end it in a t-shirt, then spend the rest of the day carrying your jacket around like a lost child.
The Air Stagnation Problem
According to local meteorologists and the DEQ, the Rogue Valley is basically a bowl. When we get these high-pressure systems in January, the warm air stays up high and traps the cold, dirty air down here with us. It's why Sexton Summit might be 10 degrees warmer than downtown Grants Pass at 8:00 AM.
If you're planning on heading out toward Medford or Roseburg, just know the fog is patchy. One minute you’re in the clear, the next you’re hitting a wall of "pea soup" near the Merlin hill.
Honestly, the best thing you can do today is wait. If you have errands, wait until after 1:00 PM. The sun will be out, the fog will be gone, and the roads will be dry. The 5% chance of daytime precipitation is negligible—don't worry about snow, despite what some glitchy apps might suggest. It’s a dry Saturday once the mist clears.
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Actionable Next Steps:
Check your exterior lights before driving this morning; in freezing fog, you need to be seen more than you need to see. If you’re planning outdoor activities, aim for the 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM window for peak warmth. Keep an eye on local air quality sensors if you’re sensitive to pollutants, as the stagnation won’t break until early next week.