Today: Mild temperatures and smoky morning skies will give way to an active Thursday. A storm system will bring a cold front through this afternoon bringing cooler temperatures and blustery winds to the region. Cloudy skies with showers and drizzle are likely through the first part of the day along the coast. Some breaks of sunshine are possible later in the day. Meanwhile, inland areas will be quite smoky with partly cloudy skies. We'll have the potential for showers and thunderstorms starting around midday, although the best chance at spotty to scattered thunderstorms will be east of the Cascades later in the afternoon. One or two storms could be strong to severe producing strong winds and hail. Storms will also be capable of heavy downpours and abundant lightning. High temperatures today will be cooler, only reaching the mid to upper 80s in our westside valleys with lower to middle 80s east of the Cascades. The mountains will see highs in the 60s and 70s with 60s expected along the coast.

An AIR QUALITY ALERT has been issued for all of Southern Oregon until 4 PM Friday. Wildfire smoke will create reduced and very poor air quality at times during this period. Be sure to take the proper precautions to avoid the increased smoke and health concerns.

A RED FLAG WARNING has been issued for Klamath County and Lake County from 12 PM – 10 PM Thursday. Spotty thunderstorms will likely produce abundant lightning and the potential for strong, gusty winds. New fire starts are likely as a result of these storms.

Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms east of the Cascades will continue well into the evening hours. A few of these thunderstorms could prove to be quite strong, especially in the early evening. For those of us west of the Cascades, thunderstorm activity should be finished by the time we reach this evening, although gusty winds from the west will remain a possibility. Despite active weather in the region, smoke will remain widespread across Southern Oregon and Northern California through the evening and overnight hours. There may be slight reductions of smoke in spots due to shifting winds, although air quality will likely remain poor. Temperatures tonight will fall into the mid 50s west of the Cascades with 40s east of the Cascades.

Extended: Smoke should become less widespread through the day on Friday with some improvements to air quality. There will be some areas that will have to contend with smoke, closer to fires. Saturday will be sunny and hotter. Another storm system will likely come through dry on Sunday, but temperatures will be cooler and winds will be blustery for the region. Next week is looking quiet with sunshine and temperatures heating up further.

Stay updated on the StormWatch 12 forecast on-air and online.