Medford, Oregon – Snow will begin piling up along Interstate 5 and surrounding mountain passes by 10 p.m. Monday, with up to 3 feet expected in higher terrain and accumulating snow reaching valley floors by Tuesday morning.
According to the National Weather Service in Medford, a Winter Storm Warning remains in effect until 10 a.m. Thursday for much of southern Oregon and western Siskiyou County, California. Snow levels near 5,000 feet Monday will drop sharply to 1,000 to 1,500 feet overnight, allowing accumulating snow to reach Medford, Ashland, Grants Pass and Roseburg.
Above 5,000 feet in Siskiyou County, including Etna and Callahan, an additional 6 to 12 inches is expected, with 2 to 3 feet possible in the highest elevations. Around Mount Shasta, Dunsmuir and along Interstate 5 south of Weed, totals of 10 to 15 inches are likely, with 1 to 2 feet above 4,500 feet. In Jackson County, valley locations could see 3 to 6 inches, while Prospect and Butte Falls may top a foot.
Snow will intensify late Monday night into Tuesday morning, creating hazardous travel over Sexton Pass, Smith Hill, Canyon Creek Pass and Hayes Hill. Portions of Highway 199, Highway 96 and Highway 3 will also turn slick. Winds gusting up to 40 mph over exposed terrain may cause blowing snow and reduced visibility.
Drivers should delay non-essential travel, carry chains and check TripCheck or call 511 for real-time road updates. The heaviest impacts are expected through Tuesday morning, with additional waves of snow continuing into Thursday.
