Mount Shasta, California – Travel over Siskiyou County’s highest passes could become dangerous within hours Saturday night as heavy snow and 60 mph wind gusts slam elevations above 4,500 feet.
According to the National Weather Service in Medford, a Winter Storm Warning remains in effect from 10 p.m. Saturday until 4 p.m. Sunday for higher terrain in western, south central and eastern Siskiyou County. Snow totals between 5 and 10 inches are expected, with the heaviest snowfall late Saturday night through Sunday morning. Snow levels will begin rising Sunday afternoon before precipitation tapers.
Dead Horse Summit on Highway 89, Etna Summit on Sawyers Bar Road, the Mount Shasta Ski Park Highway around 5,400 feet, Grass Lake near Mount Hebron and Bunny Flat on Everitt Memorial Highway near 6,900 feet are all likely to see rapid accumulation and strong crosswinds. Blowing snow could sharply reduce visibility on exposed ridgelines.
South to southeast wind gusts up to 60 mph may snap tree limbs and create drifting across mountain roads. Caltrans urges drivers to check quickmap.dot.ca.gov or call 511 before traveling and carry chains, food, water and emergency supplies.
Conditions will deteriorate quickly after 10 p.m. Saturday, with the most hazardous travel expected overnight into Sunday morning before gradual improvement late Sunday.
