Medford, OR – Travel through the southern Oregon Cascades is becoming increasingly dangerous overnight as heavy snow and strong winds intensify across mountain passes ahead of the Thursday commute.
According to the National Weather Service in Medford, a Winter Storm Warning remains in effect until 5 p.m. Thursday for elevations above 3,000 feet, including the Siskiyou Mountains and areas near Crater Lake. Snow totals of 6 to 8 inches are expected broadly, with 10 to 12 inches likely inside Crater Lake National Park. Winds could gust up to 50 mph across exposed ridgelines.
Key travel corridors including Highways 62, 140, 138, 230, and 58 are expected to see snow-covered pavement, reduced visibility, and drifting snow. Conditions may quickly deteriorate overnight, especially near Diamond Lake, Union Creek, and Toketee Falls, where snowfall rates could overwhelm plow operations.
Blowing snow combined with steep terrain could lead to near-whiteout conditions at times, making travel difficult to impossible through Thursday morning and into the afternoon.
Officials advise delaying travel and checking TripCheck for real-time road closures and chain requirements. Conditions are expected to remain hazardous until at least 5 p.m. Thursday, with lingering impacts possible into the evening hours.
