More snow in the forecast; Ashland expected to get another 3-4 inches
By Bert Etling, Ashland.news
Two to 6 inches of snow are forecast this weekend over a wide swath of Southern Oregon and Northern California, prompting the National Weather Service to issue a winter weather advisory for the period from 4 a.m. Saturday through 4 p.m. Sunday.
The forecast calls for 3-4 inches in Ashland, which is at about 2,000-foot elevation.
A winter weather advisory means travel could become difficult at times, with patchy blowing snow significantly reducing visibility, NWS cautions. Motorists should check tripcheck.com before heading out, NWS suggests.
Snow levels will lower to about 500 feet during the overnight and early morning hours, then rise to around 1,500 feet in the afternoon, meaning periods of low-elevation snow are expected Saturday and Sunday mornings.
Daily high temperatures are forecast to be about 45 degrees Friday, dipping to 40 on Saturday and Sunday and ramping up to 42 Monday, 43 Tuesday, 44 Wednesday and 45 Thursday.
Lows are expected to be 25 Friday and Saturday nights, falling to 23 Sunday evening and inching back up to 25, 24 and 25 degrees on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights, respectively.
Friday’s expected to be partly sunny, NWS says, but then the chance of snow is 100% Saturday, 70% Sunday, dropping to a chance on Monday and Tuesday, followed by a slight chance of snow and rain Wednesday.
Emergency shelter remains open
The city of Ashland has extended the current severe weather emergency and authorized the extension of the emergency shelter at 48 5th St. through the evening of Wednesday, March 8, closing on Thursday morning, March 9, pending continued conditions. The city opens the shelter when temperatures fall to freezing or below, and has to give two-days advance notice to Options for Helping Residents of Ashland (OHRA), which contracts to operate the shelter.
The shelter opens at 5 p.m. each evening. Doors close for the night at 9 p.m., with lights out at 10 p.m. This is a no-frills shelter, which means individuals should plan on providing their own bedding. Well-behaved pets are welcome. The shelter closes at 9 a.m.
The shelter will have limited food available. There are community meals every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at Pioneer Hall.
For additional information or if you are interested in volunteering at the shelter, contact Avram Sacks of Options for Helping Residents of Ashland (OHRA) at 541-220-7307 or 541-631-2235.
To sign up for text alerts with shelter information, text 97520SHELTER to 888777.
Email Ashland.news Executive Editor Bert Etling at betling@ashland.news or call or text him at 541-631-1313.
