Medford, OR – A powerful winter storm is set to impact southern Oregon and northern California through Sunday, bringing heavy snowfall, high winds, and hazardous travel conditions. The National Weather Service has issued Winter Storm Warnings for the South Central Oregon Cascades, Siskiyou Mountains, and multiple areas in Siskiyou County, California.
According to the National Weather Service in Medford, snow accumulation in the Oregon Cascades is expected to reach 1 to 2 feet, with localized areas above 5,000 feet receiving up to 4 feet of snow. Wind gusts of 50 to 60 mph could create whiteout conditions, making travel nearly impossible, especially Saturday night into Sunday.
In northern California, western Siskiyou County, including areas above 2,000 feet, could see 5 to 10 inches of snow, with higher elevations receiving up to 20 inches. South Central Siskiyou County, including Mount Shasta and Dunsmuir, is also expecting 6 to 14 inches, with peak snowfall rates reaching 1 inch per hour early Friday.
Drivers should expect difficult travel conditions, with the worst impacts likely along Highways 140, 62, 230, and 138 in Oregon and Interstate 5 south of Weed in California. Officials urge residents to carry emergency supplies, check road conditions via TripCheck.com and QuickMap, and avoid unnecessary travel during peak storm hours. The storm is expected to weaken late Sunday night.
