Most snow expected Wednesday evening into Thursday morning; emergency shelter extended
By Bert Etling, Ashland.news
Snow showers are expected as far down as 1,500 feet Wednesday evening into Thursday morning, according to a National Weather Service advisory issued mid-day Wednesday. Snow accumulations will range from a trace to up to 4 inches above 2,500 feet, according to the advisory, which is in effect from 10 p.m. Wednesday to 10 a.m. Thursday in areas from the coast up to passes north of Grants Pass and through most of the Rogue Valley.
A winter storm warning is in effect for the same time period for areas east and south of Ashland, including Siskiyou Summit on Interstate 5. Accumulations of 5-10 inches of snow are expected in that area.
Motorists who must travel are advised to slow down and allow extra time to reach their destination; to carry tire chains and be prepared for snow covered roads and limited visibilities; and to check tripcheck.com for latest road conditions.
The NWS forecasts highs of 36, 38, 40, 41 and 41 Thursday through Monday in Ashland, with lows of 22, 27, 30, 28, and 25, respectively. Chances of snow or rain are forecast through Sunday.
Emergency shelter extended
The Ashland city manager has authorized the extension of an emergency severe weather shelter through the morning of Monday, Dec. 5, in new locations, the city announced in a news release Wednesday.
For the three nights of Wednesday, Nov. 30, through Friday, Dec. 2, the shelter will open nightly at 5 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Ashland, 1615 Clark Ave., Ashland. The church is at the corner of Siskiyou Boulevard and Walker Avenue. The shelter will close at 7 a.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Dec. 1-3.
The shelter will move to the Gresham Room of the Ashland Public Library, 410 Siskiyou Blvd., on Saturday and Sunday nights, Dec. 3 and 4. The shelter will open each night at 5 p.m. and close at 9 a.m. the next morning.
Lights out is at 10 p.m. These are no-frills shelter, which means that individuals should plan on providing their own bedding. Well-behaved pets will be welcome at the Presbyterian Church shelter, however, only service animals are allowed inside at the library. Cats are not recognized as service animals under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
For additional information or if you are interested in volunteering at the shelter, contact community volunteer Avram Sacks at 541-220-7307.
The shelter was open Monday and Tuesday evenings, Nov. 28-29, at Pioneer Hall. Due to structural concerns, Pioneer Hall is not used as a shelter when there’s a possibility of snow load setting on the roof, as was a possibility Wednesday evening, so the shelter location was moved.
Source: City of Ashland news release, National Weather Service. Email Ashland.news Executive Editor Bert Etling at betling@ashland.news or call or text him at 541-631-1313.
Dec. 1 update: Last paragraph changed to reflect that the shelter at the Presbyterian Church on Wednesday night was instead of, not in addition to, the Pioneer Hall location.
