Heaviest snow expected overnight Monday, some snow forecast as low as 500-foot elevation

By Bert Etling, Ashland.news

A winter weather warning effective Monday evening into Tuesday afternoon was issued by the National Weather Service Medford office on Sunday afternoon for areas of Jackson, Josephine, Curry and Douglas counties.

Heavy snow is expected from 7 p.m. Monday to 1 p.m. Tuesday, with accumulations of 3 to 6 inches in areas above 2,500 feet. The warning is effective for areas above 1,500 feet. Snow is expected everywhere above 500 feet. Ashland is at about 2,000 feet.

Accumulations of 7 to 10 inches is expected above 2,500 feet.

All areas above 500 feet will experience winter weather impacts to some degree, the weather service cautions, including along Interstate 5 from Ashland to Cottage Grove and Highways 199, 238, 227, 138 62, 140, 42 and 38.

This includes the passes north of Grants Pass, Camas Valley, Jacksonville Hill and Hayes Hill Summit. 

Travel could be very difficult to impossible, according to NWS. Anyone who must travel is encouraged to keep tire chains, a flashlight, blankets, food, water, medications and a fully charged phone with them.

Snow levels will lower to around 2,000-2,500 feet by Monday afternoon with the first round of precipitation. Snow levels will continue to lower to valley floors by Monday evening. The greatest amount of valley floor snow is expected late Monday night through early Tuesday morning.

Updated road conditions are available at tripcheck.com.

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