Mount Shasta, CA – Heavy snow will begin impacting Interstate 5 near Black Butte Summit by 10 a.m. Sunday, with up to 2 feet expected above 5,000 feet through early Wednesday, creating periods of near-impossible travel across Siskiyou County.
According to the National Weather Service in Medford, a Winter Storm Warning remains in effect until 4 a.m. Wednesday for western, southern and eastern Siskiyou County. Snow accumulations of 8 to 12 inches are expected above 5,000 feet through Monday morning. After a brief lull Monday afternoon, snow levels will crash to 1,500 to 2,000 feet Monday night into Tuesday, bringing an additional 6 to 12 inches. Higher terrain above 5,000 feet could see total accumulations of 1 to 2 feet. Winds may gust as high as 40 mph over exposed ridges.
High-impact corridors include I-5 south of Weed, Highway 97, Highway 89, Sawyers Bar Road at Etna Summit and Highway 3 south of Callahan. Snowman Summit, Dead Horse Summit and Grass Lake Summit are all at risk for chain controls and closures. A burst of heavier precipitation early Monday could briefly lower snow levels to Mount Shasta City, impacting the I-5 corridor directly.
Travel could become very difficult to impossible during the Monday morning and evening commutes. Officials urge drivers to carry chains, emergency supplies and check Caltrans QuickMap or call 511 before departure.
Warnings remain in effect through early Wednesday, with additional advisories possible as snow levels continue dropping into valley locations Tuesday.
