Yreka, CA – A powerful winter storm is sweeping across the Klamath Mountains in Northern California and the south-central Cascades of Oregon, bringing heavy snowfall and dangerous travel conditions through Friday morning.
According to the National Weather Service in Medford, a Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect until 11 a.m. Friday for elevations above 4,500 feet. In western Siskiyou County, snow totals are expected to reach between 8 and 16 inches, with isolated amounts of up to 24 inches over the highest peaks. Strong wind gusts between 30 and 50 mph could also create whiteout conditions and cause tree damage.
Affected California communities include Scott Bar, Happy Camp, Etna, and Callahan, especially along higher elevations of Highway 3 and Sawyers Bar Road. In Oregon, similar totals are expected for Diamond Lake and Crater Lake, with impacts extending into parts of Klamath, Jackson, and Douglas counties.
Commuters should prepare for hazardous road conditions, especially during the Thursday evening and Friday morning drive times. Snow levels are expected to drop to 4,000 feet by Friday, increasing risk to lower mountain roadways.
Drivers are urged to check road conditions by calling 511 or visiting quickmap.dot.ca.gov for California or tripcheck.com for Oregon.
