Friday saw record temperatures in several Oregon cities, including Medford, according to the National Weather Service.

The declaration helps the state move resources and funding to hard-hit communities.

The abnormally high temperatures coming later this week, part of a multiyear warming trend in Oregon, are prompting public health concerns in a state where many homes lack air conditioning.

As Independence Day looms, so too does a heat wave that's expected throughout Southern Oregon and Northern California. The combination of strong winds, low humidity and firework use is increasing the threat of wildfires.

Tim Palmer's latest book is Seek Higher Ground: The Natural Solution to Our Urgent Flooding Crisis.

A weekend spring storm that drenched the San Francisco Bay area and closed Northern California mountain highways also set a single-day snowfall record for the season on Sunday in the Sierra Nevada.

California has entered spring with an above-average mountain snowpack and major reservoirs in good shape for a second consecutive year, staving off immediate water supply concerns but not allaying drought worries in a warming world.

The approach of April marks a key time of the year. It’s when mountain snow usually peaks across Oregon — offering a hint at the severity of the coming wildfire season and about conditions for farmers who rely on irrigation.

February’s monthly snow survey revealed California’s snowpack is at 80% of what’s average for this time of year. Experts say warmer storms, which brought lots of rain but less snowfall, are to blame.

A winter weather advisory is in place in parts of Jackson, Klamath and Douglas Counties until early Tuesday. Additional snow and gusty wind is forecasted.

According to the CDC, perishables in the refrigerator should be thrown away after a four hour power outage. Food in a full freezer, if it's left closed so the cold doesn’t escape, can last 48 hours.

Late Thursday, Gov. Tina Kotek declared a state of emergency over the fatal storm that has iced sidewalks and roads around the state, caused widespread power outages and damaged scores of homes and vehicles.