Medford, Oregon – Travel across the southern Oregon Cascades and Siskiyou Mountains will become dangerous after 10 p.m. Monday as heavy snow intensifies overnight and buries mountain passes before the Tuesday morning commute.
According to the National Weather Service in Medford, a Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect from 10 p.m. Monday until 10 a.m. Thursday for the South Central Oregon Cascades, Siskiyou Mountains and Eastern Douglas County Foothills. Snow totals of 10 to 15 inches are expected, with up to 2 feet possible above 5,000 feet. Winds could gust to 35 mph across exposed ridges and passes.
Siskiyou Pass on Interstate 5, Willamette Pass on Highway 58, and Lake of the Woods along Highway 140 may see rapid snow accumulation overnight into early Tuesday. Diamond Lake Junction and roads near Crater Lake, Union Creek and Howard Prairie will likely become snow-packed and slick.
The heaviest snowfall is expected tonight into early Tuesday morning, with additional snow showers continuing through midweek. Drivers should delay non-essential travel, carry chains and check TripCheck.com or call 511 before heading into higher elevations. Hazardous conditions will persist through Thursday morning.
