A strong winter storm will bring heavy snowfall and gusty winds to higher elevations of southern Oregon starting Wednesday evening, creating hazardous travel conditions. A second storm is expected to follow on Friday, bringing additional impacts.
According to the National Weather Service in Medford, a Winter Weather Advisory is in effect from 5 p.m. Wednesday to 5 p.m. Thursday for the southern Oregon Cascades and Siskiyou Mountains. Areas above 5,000 feet, including Crater Lake, Diamond Lake, and the Mt. Ashland Ski Area, could see snow accumulations between 5 and 16 inches, with wind gusts up to 40 mph.
A separate Winter Weather Advisory is also in place for Western Siskiyou County, California, where elevations above 5,000 feet could receive 6 to 8 inches of snow, with isolated areas reaching up to 12 inches. Wind gusts may reach 45 mph, impacting travel on Etna Summit and Sawyers Bar Road.
Officials urge drivers to check road conditions on TripCheck.com or call 511 before traveling. Reduced visibility and icy roads could make travel treacherous, especially during the Wednesday evening and Thursday morning commutes.
The second system arriving Friday is expected to bring additional snowfall and travel disruptions to higher terrain.
