The similarites between Medford, Oregon and Port Orford, Oregon are strinking. The relative temperature and precipitaion patterns parallel each other as one might assume being in the same regional area. Though the trends are roughly the same, there are some differences. Below are three charts of Port Orford and Medford showing the monthly Average Highs and Lows and monthly precipitation.

Average High

 Average Low

 Average Precipitation

(Charts Courtesy www.weather.com)

The Air Mass of the two locales is roughly the same. Pacific Maritime Polar winds attribute most of the weather of the area. The cold fronts that hit Port Orford also hit Medford in most cases. Below are two graphs comparing the avergae monthly wind speeds of each city to the national average.

Medford

Port Orford

Both Cities have a relatively low average wind speed. For Port Orford this is surprising given the location on the coast. For Medford, this is also a surprise as it sits right in the Rogue River Valley. 

(Charts Courtesy of www.citydata.com)

It is important to note the regional elevation patters when considering precipitation of these two locations. While Port Orford receives almost 5 times as much rain as Medford, they are both on the lee side of a mountain depending on the direction of the wind patterns. The "banana belt" of Port Orford that presumably causes unseasonably warm temperatures is from the Chinook winds that flow in from the south over the Siskiyou Mountain range in Northern Claifornia. While not the primary source of weather patterns, is significant to the area. The same weather pattern may also have an affect on Medford as well causing some very mild temperatures. Lows in Medford rarely reach below the 20's and highs rarely reach above 85 F. This parallel temperature pattern is unique considering how much further inland Medford is, especially considering it is extremely close to the lee side of the Cascade Mountain range.

(Map Courtesy of Me)

The geologic structure and the impacts of volcanic activity are also something to consider with these two locations. In the map below, there is an obvious string of volcanoes that stretch the western side of the continental US. You can go to the following for a very detailed account of the geologic/volcanic structure of Oregon in  the Oregon Geology PDF. This parallels nicely with what we were talking about in class today.

Though I could not find any specific information marking a relationship between the two locations, I have a hunch that there is some critical similarity between Port Orford and Medford concerning volcanoes. Medford is 77 miles away from Crater Lake National Park. Such a short distance from one of the areas largest volcanic eruptions had to have played some role that is significant to both locations. Even if it is just a sediment role from influencing the productive agricultural activity to sediment transport down the Rogue River (which hits the ocean just below Port Orford).

Too be continued...

And just a  great LiDar image of Port Orford.