Snowstorms expected to hinder Christmas travel
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This Weather Alert is brought to you by Ace Towing, 541.884.9388.
MEDFORD, Ore. - The Medford, Ore. office of the National Weather Service has issued Winter Weather Advisories, Winter Storm Warnings, and Winter Storm Watches Southern Oregon and Northern California. Including the Cascades and Siskiyous Mountains as well as Klamath, Lake, Modoc and Siskiyou counties. Multiple advisories and alerts have been issued for the region.
Oregon Governor Brown has issued a State of Emergency in Oregon for the expected winter weather.
Detailed alerts from the National Weather Service are listed below.
Travel is strongly discouraged during this weekend. If you must travel, bring some extra supplies and your emergency kit with you. You never know when passes may close and you may be stuck in traffic for an extended period. Be sure to bring blankets, medications, food, water, flashlight, tire chains, and fully charged cell phone. Also before you hit the road, be aware of the current conditions by checking the webcams in the region at tripcheck.com or quickmap.dot.ca.gov and know the current forecast at www.weather.gov/Medford.
Tonight
Snow showers likely, mainly before 10pm, then a chance of snow after 4am. Cloudy, with a low around 22. Southwest wind 7 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
Friday
Snow, mainly after 10am. Patchy blowing snow after 2pm. High near 33. Southwest wind 9 to 14 mph increasing to 16 to 21 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 31 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.
Friday Night
Snow before 4am, then a chance of snow showers after 4am. Patchy blowing snow before 7pm. Low around 22. South wind 9 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.
Christmas Day
A chance of snow showers before 10am, then snow likely between 10am and 4pm, then snow showers after 4pm. High near 30. Southwest wind 7 to 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
Saturday Night
Snow showers. Low around 18. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.
Winter Storm Warning
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Medford OR
322 PM PST Thu Dec 23 2021
Eastern Douglas County Foothills
Including the cities of Steamboat and Toketee Falls
322 PM PST Thu Dec 23 2021
...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM PST THIS EVENING ABOVE 2000 FEET...
...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM FRIDAY TO 10 AM PST SATURDAY ABOVE 1500 FEET...
...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM FRIDAY TO 10 AM PST SATURDAY ABOVE 2000 FEET...
...WINTER STORM WATCH NOW IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH MONDAY MORNING...
* WHAT...For the first Winter Weather Advisory above 2000 feet, snow expected through this evening. New snow accumulations of 1 to 4 inches, above 3000 foot elevations. For the Winter Storm Warning above 2000 feet Friday, periods of moderate to heavy snow is likely. Total additional snow accumulations of 6 to 15 inches possible. For the second Winter Weather Advisory above 1500 feet, 2 to 5 inches of snow expected. For the Winter Storm Watch, heavy snow possible. Total snow accumulations of 2 to 3 feet possible.
* WHERE...For the Winter Weather Advisory this evening, eastern Douglas County foothills, Steamboat and Toketee. For the winter storm warning on Friday, eastern Douglas County Foothills, Steamboat and Toketee Falls. For the Winter Weather Advisory on Friday, portions of Highway 138 east of Roseburg.
* WHEN...For the Winter Storm Warning, from 6 AM Friday to 10 AM PST Saturday. For the first Winter Weather Advisory, until 10 PM PST this evening. For the second Winter Weather Advisory, from 6 AM Friday to 10 AM PST Saturday. For the Winter Storm Watch, from Saturday morning through Monday morning.
* IMPACTS...Slippery and snow covered roads into this evening. During the winter storm period, travel could be very difficult to impossible. Significant impacts, at times during heavy snow, to include potential road closures.
* View the hazard area in detail at https://www.wrh.noaa.gov/map/?wfo=mfr
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Medford OR
322 PM PST Thu Dec 23 2021
South Central Oregon Cascades
Including the cities of Crater Lake, Crescent Lake, Diamond Lake, and Union Creek
...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 AM PST FRIDAY...
...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM FRIDAY TO 10 AM PST SATURDAY...
...WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH MONDAY MORNING...
* WHAT...For the first Winter Weather Advisory into this evening, additional snow accumulations of 2 to 5 inches. For the Winter Storm Warning Friday, heavy snow of 9 to 20 inches expected in the Cascades. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph on Friday over exposed areas. For the Winter Storm Watch Saturday into Monday, heavy snow of 1 to 3 feet possible and winds could gust as high as 35 mph.
* WHERE...For the Winter Weather Advisory into this evening, the South Central Oregon Cascades including portions of Highways 230 and 62 and areas near Crater Lake. For the Winter Storm Warning Friday and the Winter Storm Watch Saturday through Monday morning, all areas in the South Central Oregon Cascades including Crater Lake, Diamond Lake, Highway 230 and portions of Highway 62.
* WHEN...For the Winter Storm Warning, from 6 AM Friday to 10 AM PST Saturday. For the Winter Weather Advisory, until 4 AM PST Friday. For the Winter Storm Watch, from Saturday morning through Monday morning.
* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult to impossible. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches.
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Medford OR
322 PM PST Thu Dec 23 2021
South Central Siskiyou County
North Central and Southeast Siskiyou County - Including the cities of Dunsmuir, McCloud, Mount Shasta, Bray, Pondosa, and Tennant
...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 AM PST FRIDAY ABOVE 4000 FEET...
...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM FRIDAY TO 10 AM PST SATURDAY...
...WINTER STORM WATCH NOW IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH MONDAY MORNING...
* WHAT...For the Winter Weather Advisory above 4000 feet through tonight, snow accumulations of 1 to 4 inches. For the Winter Storm Warning, heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 5 to 9 inches, expect up to 12 inches over higher terrain above 4500 feet. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph. For the Winter Storm Watch, heavy snow of 6 to 15 inches possible.
* WHERE...The main impacts during the advisory time period through tonight will be above 4000 feet along portions of Highway 89. The Winter Storm Warning on Friday and the Winter Storm Watch Saturday through Monday morning are for all areas. This includes the Interstate 5 corridor south of Weed to Dunsmuir and Highway 97 in central and eastern Siskiyou County.
* WHEN...For the Winter Storm Warning, from 1 PM Friday to 10 AM PST Saturday. For the Winter Weather Advisory, until 4 AM PST Friday. For the Winter Storm Watch, from Saturday morning through Monday morning.
* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult to impossible. Patchy blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning or evening commute.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Periods of moderate to heavy snow are expected on Friday and Friday night as snow levels lower. Then Saturday through Monday morning, additional heavy snow is possible.
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Medford OR
322 PM PST Thu Dec 23 2021
Central Douglas County
Eastern Curry County and Josephine County - Including the city of Glendale
...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 4 AM FRIDAY TO NOON PST MONDAY ABOVE 1500 FEET...
* WHAT...Periods of moderate to heavy snow expected above 1500 feet on Friday. New snow accumulations of generally 3 to 6 inches at elevations between 1500 and 2500 feet Friday through early Saturday morning. 6 to 18 inches is likely above 2500 foot elevations during that same time period. Additional heavy snow is expected Saturday afternoon through Monday morning with up to 12 inches between 1500 and 2000 ft elevation to as much as 2 to 3 feet at higher elevations. Winds could gust 20 to 40 mph at exposed higher elevation locations during this time period.
* WHERE...Central Douglas County and Eastern Curry County and Josephine County including portions of Interstate 5 between Grants Pass and Tri-City, portions of Highway 199 in the Illinois Valley, portions of the Tiller Highway from near Tiller to Shady Cove, and the Camas Mountain area on Highway 138.
* WHEN...From 4 AM Friday to noon PST Monday.
* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult to impossible. Patchy blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning or evening commute.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...This warning period will bring periods of significant snowfall from multiple waves of low pressure moving into the area. While there will be some breaks in the weather, expect heavy snowfall to begin to impact the Canyon Mountain and Sexton Summit passes on Friday the 24th. Snow may lighten on Saturday morning then increase late Saturday morning into Saturday night and Sunday. Lowering snow levels with time mean that travel impacts will spread to more roadways over time.
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Medford OR
322 PM PST Thu Dec 23 2021
Western Siskiyou County
Including the cities of Callahan, Etna, Fort Jones, Greenview, Happy Camp, Scott Bar, and Somes Bar
...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 AM PST FRIDAY ABOVE 4000 FEET...
...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM FRIDAY TO 10 AM PST SATURDAY ABOVE 1500 FEET...
...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM FRIDAY TO 10 AM PST SATURDAY ABOVE 2000 FEET...
...WINTER STORM WATCH NOW IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH MONDAY MORNING...
* WHAT...For the first Winter Weather Advisory above 4000 feet through this evening, additional snow accumulations of 1 to 3 inches. For the Winter Storm Warning above 2000 feet Friday, heavy snow accumulations of 6 to 12 inches, except up to 24 inches over the higher mountains. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph. For the second Winter Weather Advisory between 1500 and 2000 feet Friday, snow accumulations of 2 to 6 inches. For the Winter Storm Watch, heavy snow possible with 6 to 12 inches at lower elevations and 2 to 3 feet at mid to higher elevations.
* WHERE...For the Advisory into this evening, elevations above 4000 feet. For the Winter Storm Warning Friday, elevations above 2000 feet including Fort Jones to Callahan, Sawyers Bar Road, Highway 3, higher portions of Highway 96 and mountains in Western Siskiyou County. For the Winter Weather Advisory Friday, elevations between 1500 and 2000 feet, including Scott Bar and portions of Highway 96.
* WHEN...For the Winter Storm Warning, from 6 AM Friday to 10 AM PST Saturday. For the first Winter Weather Advisory, until 4 AM PST Friday. For the second Winter Weather Advisory, from 6 AM Friday to 10 AM PST Saturday. For the Winter Storm Watch, from Saturday morning through Monday morning.
* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult to impossible. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning or evening commute.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Snow levels will lower tonight into Friday then may lower down to lower valley floors Saturday into Sunday with moderate to heavy snow possible. Check back for updates on forecast details as this active weather nears.
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Medford OR
322 PM PST Thu Dec 23 2021
Jackson County
Including the cities of Medford and Ashland
...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM PST THIS EVENING ABOVE 2500 FEET...
...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM FRIDAY TO 10 AM PST SATURDAY ABOVE 1500 FEET...
...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM FRIDAY TO 10 AM PST SATURDAY ABOVE 2000 FEET...
...WINTER STORM WATCH NOW IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH MONDAY MORNING...
* WHAT...For the first Winter Weather Advisory above 2500 feet, additional snow of 1 to 3 inches through this evening. For the Winter Storm Warning above 2000 feet Friday, heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 4 to 10 inches. For the second Winter Weather Advisory above 1500 feet on Friday, snow accumulations of 1 to 3 inches. For the Winter Storm Watch, heavy snow possible. Total snow accumulations of 4 to 9 inches in valleys and 10 to 20 inches across foothills.
* WHERE...Jackson County. For the advisory through this evening, the Prospect, and Butte Falls areas. For the Winter Storm Warning, all areas above 2000 foot elevations including Highway 62 from near Prospect, Butte Falls, Jacksonville Hill on Highway 238,and higher terrain near Ashland. For the second winter weather advisory, areas between 1500 and 2000 feet including portions of the Applegate Valley, Jacksonville, southeast Medford, Phoenix, Talent, Ashland, Shady Cove and Highway 140 east of White City. For the Winter Storm Watch, all areas.
* WHEN...For the Winter Storm Warning, from 6 AM Friday to 10 AM PST Saturday. For the first Winter Weather Advisory, until 10 PM PST this evening. For the second Winter Weather Advisory, from 6 AM Friday to 10 AM PST Saturday. For the Winter Storm Watch, from Saturday morning through Monday morning.
* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult to impossible. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning or evening commute.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Periods of moderate to heavy snow are expected Friday into Friday night. Snow may lighten on Saturday morning then increase late Saturday morning into Saturday night and Sunday. Snow levels are likely to drop to around 1500 feet, at times, during periods of moderate to heavy precipitation on Christmas Eve. Snow levels may lower further down to lower valley floors Sunday and Monday.
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Medford OR
322 PM PST Thu Dec 23 2021
Siskiyou Mountains and Southern Oregon Cascades
Including the cities of Howard Prairie and Siskiyou Summit
...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 AM PST FRIDAY...
...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM FRIDAY TO 10 AM PST SATURDAY...
...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM FRIDAY TO 10 AM PST SATURDAY...
...WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH MONDAY MORNING...
* WHAT...For the first Winter Weather Advisory into this evening, additional snow accumulations of 2 to 5 inches. For the Winter Storm Warning Friday, heavy snow of 9 to 20 inches expected in the Cascades. For the second Winter Weather Advisory Friday, snow accumulations of 6 to 12 inches in the Siskiyous and south of Highway 140 in the Cascades. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph on Friday over exposed areas. For the Winter Storm Watch Saturday into Monday, heavy snow of 1 to 3 feet possible.
* WHERE...For the Winter Weather Advisory into this evening, the Southern Oregon Cascades including portions of Highways 140 near Lake of the Woods as well as higher portions of the Siskiyous near Mount Ashland. For the Winter Storm Warning Friday, all areas in the Southern Oregon Cascades from Highway 140 north including Lake of the Woods and Fish Lake. For the Winter Weather Advisory on Friday, areas south of Highway 140 in the Cascades and the Siskiyous, including Highway 66 and Interstate 5 near Siskiyou Summit. For the Winter Storm Watch, all areas in the Southern Oregon Cascades and Siskiyous.
* WHEN...For the Winter Storm Warning, from 6 AM Friday to 10 AM PST Saturday. For the first Winter Weather Advisory, until 4 AM PST Friday. For the second Winter Weather Advisory, from 6 AM Friday to 10 AM PST Saturday. For the Winter Storm Watch, from Saturday morning through Monday morning.
* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult to impossible. Patchy blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility.
Winter Weather Advisory
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Medford OR
322 PM PST Thu Dec 23 2021
Klamath Basin
Northern and Eastern Klamath County and Western Lake County- Including the cities of Altamont, Klamath Falls, Beatty, Bly, Chemult, Crescent, Gilchrist, and Sprague River
...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 AM PST FRIDAY...
...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM FRIDAY TO 10 AM PST SATURDAY...
...WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH MONDAY MORNING...
* WHAT...For the first Winter Weather Advisory through tonight, additional snow accumulations of up to 3 inches. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph. For the second Winter Weather Advisory Friday into Saturday morning, snow accumulations of 3 to 9 inches expected. Winds gusting as high as 45 mph. For the Winter Storm Watch, heavy snow of 5 to 15 inches possible.
* WHERE...For the Winter Weather Advisory through tonight, this includes portions of Highway 97 from around Modoc Point northward to Gilchrist, and portions of Highway 140 east of Klamath Falls. For the Winter Weather Advisory Friday into Saturday morning, this includes all areas in Klamath County and western Lake Counties including Highway 97, 140 and 31 as well as Klamath Falls, Chemult, Bly and surrounding communities. For the Winter Storm Watch, Highway 97 Modoc Point to Gilchrist.
* WHEN...For the first Winter Weather Advisory, until 4 AM PST Friday. For the second Winter Weather Advisory, from 10 AM Friday to 10 AM PST Saturday. For the Winter Storm Watch, from Saturday morning through Monday morning.
* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult to impossible. Patchy blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility.
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Medford OR
322 PM PST Thu Dec 23 2021
Klamath Basin
Northern and Eastern Klamath County and Western Lake County- Including the cities of Altamont, Klamath Falls, Beatty, Bly, Chemult, Crescent, Gilchrist, and Sprague River
322 PM PST Thu Dec 23 2021
...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 AM PST FRIDAY...
...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM FRIDAY TO 10 AM PST SATURDAY...
...WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH MONDAY MORNING...
* WHAT...For the first Winter Weather Advisory through tonight, additional snow accumulations of up to 3 inches. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph. For the second Winter Weather Advisory Friday into Saturday morning, snow accumulations of 3 to 9 inches expected. Winds gusting as high as 45 mph. For the Winter Storm Watch, heavy snow of 5 to 15 inches possible.
* WHERE...For the Winter Weather Advisory through tonight, this includes portions of Highway 97 from around Modoc Point northward to Gilchrist, and portions of Highway 140 east of Klamath Falls. For the Winter Weather Advisory Friday into Saturday morning, this includes all areas in Klamath County and western Lake Counties including Highway 97, 140 and 31 as well as Klamath Falls, Chemult, Bly and surrounding communities. For the Winter Storm Watch, Highway 97 Modoc Point to Gilchrist.
* WHEN...For the first Winter Weather Advisory, until 4 AM PST Friday. For the second Winter Weather Advisory, from 10 AM Friday to 10 AM PST Saturday. For the Winter Storm Watch, from Saturday morning through Monday morning.
* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult to impossible. Patchy blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility.
Winter Storm Watch
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Medford OR
322 PM PST Thu Dec 23 2021
Klamath Basin
Northern and Eastern Klamath County and Western Lake County- Including the cities of Altamont, Klamath Falls, Beatty, Bly, Chemult, Crescent, Gilchrist, and Sprague River
...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 AM PST FRIDAY...
...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM FRIDAY TO 10 AM PST SATURDAY...
...WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH MONDAY MORNING...
* WHAT...For the first Winter Weather Advisory through tonight, additional snow accumulations of up to 3 inches. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph. For the second Winter Weather Advisory Friday into Saturday morning, snow accumulations of 3 to 9 inches expected. Winds gusting as high as 45 mph. For the Winter Storm Watch, heavy snow of 5 to 15 inches possible.
* WHERE...For the Winter Weather Advisory through tonight, this includes portions of Highway 97 from around Modoc Point northward to Gilchrist, and portions of Highway 140 east of Klamath Falls. For the Winter Weather Advisory Friday into Saturday morning, this includes all areas in Klamath County and western Lake Counties including Highway 97, 140 and 31 as well as Klamath Falls, Chemult, Bly and surrounding communities. For the Winter Storm Watch, Highway 97 Modoc Point to Gilchrist.
* WHEN...For the first Winter Weather Advisory, until 4 AM PST Friday. For the second Winter Weather Advisory, from 10 AM Friday to 10 AM PST Saturday. For the Winter Storm Watch, from Saturday morning through Monday morning.
* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult to impossible. Patchy blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility.
TRAVEL & ROAD CONDITIONS
NWS Advisory Levels
A Winter Weather Advisory will be issued for any amount of freezing rain, or when 2 to 4 inches of snow (alone or in combination with sleet and freezing rain), is expected to cause a significant inconvenience, but not serious enough to warrant a warning.
A Winter Storm Watch is issued when there is the potential for significant and hazardous winter weather within 48 hours. It does not mean that significant and hazardous winter weather will occur.
A Blizzard Warning means that the following conditions are occurring or expected within the next 12 to 18 hours.
A Winter Storm Warning is issued when a significant combination of hazardous winter weather is occurring or imminent.
The 2021-22 Winter Weather Alerts are brought to you by Ace Towing, 541-884-9388.
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