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Winter Storm Slows Traffic On Both Sides Of State Line

Geoffrey Riley
/
JPR News

Update, Tuesday 5 PM: Highway managers put chain requirements into effect on portions of Interstate Five on both sides of the state line, north of Grants Pass and in the Dunsmuir/Mount Shasta area.

In addition, some chain requirements went into effect on U.S. 199 over Hayes Hill, between Grants Pass and Selma.

The National Weather Service in Medford warned of Extremely Dangerous Travel (NWS italics) between 6 PM Tuesday and 1 AM Wednesday in the Weed area, with heavy snow and strong winds expected.

And early indications are that another storm could bring more snow Thursday into Friday.

Original post:

Weather forecasters predict major snowfall in the region Tuesday and Wednesday, as a storm arrives off the Pacific.

Major impacts will be felt generally south of Douglas County. A winter weather advisory goes into effect Tuesday at Noon, until Wednesday at 4 PM, for counties along the state line. The advisory strengthens into a winter storm warning for Josephine and Curry Counties in Oregon, and counties on the California side of the state line.

The city of Mount Shasta could get more than two feet of snow, according to National Weather Service forecasters in Medford. The heavy snow could disrupt travel on Interstate Five through the area.

The snow line is expected to drop to 1500 feet in elevation. And if the snow is not enough, the system could bring heavy winds as well, with gusts up to 70 mph forecast for the Shasta Valley, less in the Rogue Valley.

National Weather Service, Medford

Geoffrey Riley is a graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism and has hosted the Jefferson Exchange on JPR since 2009. He's been a broadcaster in the Rogue Valley for more than 35 years, working in both television and radio.