Heavy Snows Possible for Mountains

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Forecast Snowfall

Moderate to heavy snow will impact southern Oregon and northern California tonight into Friday. Snow will be wet and heavy and could cause tree limbs/branches to break. Power outages are possible. Heaviest snow will fall in the mountains above 2000 feet, and could fall in the valleys on Friday night. Be prepared for snow-covered and slippery roads and reduced visibility. Roads affected will be I-5, US Highway 97, US Highway 395, Highway 3, Highway 62, Highway 140, and more. 

This will create very hazardous travel with slippery, snow covered roads, and periods of poor visibility due to moderate to heavy snow. 

If you must travel, carry emergency kit with chains, flashlight, batteries, blankets, food, water, and medications. Be prepared for wintry travel conditions and be sure to check road conditions before venturing out. 

You can call 511 for Oregon or California road conditions (while you’re in either state), or visit their websites listed below.

Winter Storm Watch 2018 Excel.jpg

Heavy mountain snow and possible low land snow Tonight into Friday night

A strong cold front will move through southern Oregon and northern California today. As cold air pours in behind the front tonight, snow levels will drop rapidly to around 1500 feet. Snow levels will then fluctuate between 1500 and 2500 feet, highest during Friday afternoon.At the same time, a rich plume of Pacific moisture will take aim at the area, and the result will be very heavy snow in the mountains.

Particularly hard hit will be the mountains of Curry, Josephine, and western Siskiyou counties where several feet of snow are possible.

Heavy snow is also expected over the Cascades, Mt. Shasta area, and portions of the east side, although confidence in snow amounts is lower for these areas.

Snow may also impact lower elevations at times, especially at night and especially the more snow-prone areas like the I-5 Passes north of Grants Pass and the Illinois Valley.

WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM LATE TONIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY EVENING

  • WHAT: Heavy snow possible. Total snow accumulations of 8 to16 inches, with localized amounts up to 2 feet, are possible.
  • WHERE: Siskiyou Mountains and Southern Oregon Cascades including Mt. Ashland Ski area, Highway 140 at Lake of the Woods, and Interstate 5 at Siskiyou Summit.
  • WHEN: From late tonight through Friday evening. The main impacts to Interstate 5 at Siskiyou Summit are expected to occur during night time hours, with wet or slushy roadways during daylight.
  • ADDITIONAL DETAILS: Strong southwest winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts to 45 mph will create near blizzard conditions at times over the peaks, including at the Mt. Ashland ski area. Plan on difficult travel conditions, including during the evening commute on Friday.
  • View the hazard area in detail at https://www.wrh.noaa.gov/mfr/HAZARD

Stock emergency kit with tire chains, flashlight, batteries, blankets, food, water, and medications. The safest place during a winter storm is indoors. Plan now to avoid traveling during the storm.

A Winter Storm Watch means there is potential for significant snow accumulations that may create dangerous travel.

Affected Area(s):
Siskiyou Mountains and Southern Oregon Cascades

Issued: Thu Mar 22, 2018 4:17 AM PDT
Effective: Fri Mar 23, 2018 5:00 AM PDT
Expires: Fri Mar 23, 2018 11:00 PM PDT

3-Day Forecast - Klamath Basin
THIS AFTERNOON A chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 43. West southwest wind around 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. Total daytime snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
TONIGHT Partly cloudy, with a low around 25. West southwest wind 6 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.
FRIDAY A 50 percent chance of snow showers. Cloudy, with a high near 41. Breezy, with a south southwest wind 13 to 18 mph increasing to 19 to 24 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 37 mph. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
FRIDAY NIGHT Snow showers. Some thunder is also possible. Low around 21. Southwest wind 13 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.
SATURDAY A 40 percent chance of snow showers after 11am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 36. South wind 6 to 16 mph. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
SATURDAY NIGHT A 50 percent chance of snow showers. Some thunder is also possible. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 23. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.
SUNDAY A 20 percent chance of snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 40.

Information provided by the National Weather Service, Medford, Ore.

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