Medford, OR – Heavy snow is already creating hazardous travel across southern Oregon and northern California, and conditions will worsen through Thursday morning as snow levels drop near valley floors and mountain passes pile up more than a foot of accumulation.
According to the National Weather Service in Medford, a Winter Storm Warning remains in effect until 10 a.m. Thursday for much of Jackson, Josephine, Curry and Douglas counties in Oregon, along with Siskiyou County in northern California. Snow levels will fall to 1000 to 1500 feet tonight and remain low through Thursday. Valley areas such as Medford, Ashland and Grants Pass could see 3 to 6 inches, while elevations above 2000 feet may receive 4 to 12 inches. In central Douglas County, totals could reach 10 to 18 inches above 2500 feet. Western Siskiyou County may see 1 to 3 feet above 5000 feet, with gusts up to 40 mph on exposed ridges.
Interstate 5 over Sexton Pass, Roberts Mountain Pass and Canyon Creek Pass will likely remain snow-covered. Highways 199, 97, 89 and 140, along with Etna Summit and Hayes Hill, could become difficult to impassable at times.
Drivers should delay non-essential travel, carry chains and check TripCheck.com or Caltrans QuickMap before leaving. Additional snow showers continue Wednesday night into early Thursday, keeping warnings active until 10 a.m. Thursday.
