Heavy snowfall expected on mountain passes, travel not recommended
By Bert Etling, Ashland.news
As much as a foot of snow could fall Tuesday and Wednesday on elevations at or above 2,000 feet, says a winter storm warning issued Sunday evening by the National Weather Service, with up to 2 feet possible at higher elevations.
Wind gusts could reach 55 mph, the warning says. It’s effective from 1 a.m. Tuesday morning to 4 p.m. Wednesday afternoon. Downtown Ashland is just below 2,000-foot elevation.
Heavy snow falling in the foothills of the Cascade, Siskiyou and Klamath mountains in Jackson, Douglas and eastern Curry counties is expected to make travel very difficult to impossible, according to the warning, with patchy blowing snow significantly reducing visibility.
Travel is “strongly discouraged,” according to the NWS. Those who must venture over mountain passes are encouraged to carry tire chains, a flashlight, blankets, food, water, medication and a fully charged phone.
Additional open nights were announced Saturday for the Ashland severe weather shelter at 2200 Ashland St. The shelter will now be open through Wednesday night. For more on the shelter, see the Ashland.news calendar at ashland.news/events/, or go to the city of Ashland notice by clicking here.
As of Sunday evening, the NWS forecast for Ashland calls for:
• Monday: Rain and snow before 1 p.m., then a chance of rain from 1 to 4 p.m. High near 43, low also at about 43. Rain likely after 10 p.m., gusts as high as 21 mph.
• Tuesday: Rain before 1 p.m., then rain and snow. Snow level falling from 4,000 feet to 2,800 feet in the afternoon. High near 43. Wind 14-16 mph, with gusts to 25 mph. Snow level falling to 2,200 feet in the evening, low around 30. Snow accumulation possible.
• Wednesday: Rain and snow; all snow after 10 a.m. High near 38. Snow mainly before 10 p.m. Low around 28.
• Thursday: Chance of snow before 1 p.m., then chance of rain and snow. High near 39. Rain and snow before 4 a.m. Friday, then a chance of snow. Snow level 2,200 feet. Low around 32.
Email Ashland.news Executive Editor Bert Etling at betling@ashland.news or call or text him at 541-631-1313.
