Weather service issues winter storm warning through Wednesday morning

By Bert Etling, Ashland.news

With snow, rain showers and low overnight temperatures forecast for most of the week, the City of Ashland opened an emergency severe weather shelter on Monday afternoon at Pioneer Hall at 73 Winburn Way, across from Lithia Park.

The shelter will stay open through 10 a.m. Sunday, April 17. Doors close nightly at 9 p.m., with lights out at 10 p.m. The shelter will close daily for about two hours for cleaning sometime in the hours between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.  

Individuals should plan on providing their own bedding at the no-frills shelter, the city said. Social distancing will be observed and masks will be provided on site for those who wish to use them.

Leashed or crated pets will be allowed. Families are welcome.

Volunteers are needed, both overnight hosts and daytime staff.

For more information, call community volunteer Avram Sacks at 541-220-7307 or city housing program specialist Linda Reid at 541-552-2043.

Up to an inch of snow accumulated on city surfaces Monday. The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning that remains in effect until 11 a.m. Wednesday above 2,500 feet, higher than the city’s elevation of around 2,000 feet.

Areas in the storm warning area may see snow accumulations of up to 8 inches, with up to 16 inches possible in higher remote terrain, according to the Medford NWS office, which cautioned that travel is discouraged because of the conditions.

Monday’s daytime high was about 42 degrees, with an overnight low forecast to be about 29.

Highs Tuesday through Sunday are forecast to be 40, 46, 49, 46 and 53, respectively, with lows of 30, 33, 32, 36, 29 and 35.

More snow is forecast for Tuesday, changing to rain and snow into the evening and into Wednesday.

Showers are forecast Wednesday night through Friday, with a chance of showers continuing into Sunday.

Email Ashland.news Executive Editor Bert Etling at betling@ashland.news or call or text him at 541-631-1313.