Medford, Oregon – Travel across southwest Oregon will deteriorate rapidly after 10 p.m. Monday as heavy snow spreads into the mountains of Curry and Josephine counties, with the worst conditions expected overnight into early Tuesday.
According to the National Weather Service in Medford, a Winter Storm Warning remains in effect above 1,500 feet until 10 a.m. Thursday, while a Winter Weather Advisory covers lower elevations. Communities including Cave Junction, Selma, Wolf Creek and areas along Sexton Pass, Smith Hill and Hayes Hill could receive 4 to 8 inches of snow north of Interstate 5 and 6 to 12 inches across the southern Illinois Valley. The Kalmiopsis Wilderness may see up to 2 feet.
Below 1,500 feet, including Grants Pass, Merlin and Wilderville, 2 to 4 inches of wet snow are expected, enough to create slushy and slick roadways on I-5 and Highway 199.
The heaviest snowfall will fall overnight into early Tuesday morning, with additional accumulations possible Wednesday night into Thursday morning. Drivers should delay non-essential travel, carry emergency supplies and check TripCheck.com or call 511 for road updates. Hazardous conditions will persist through Thursday morning.
