Heavy Rain, Cascade Snow Expected Across Southern Oregon Wednesday
A cold front is bringing rain, Cascade snow and gusty winds to Southern Oregon on Wednesday, with heavier rain possible in the Umpqua Valley and hazardous travel in higher elevations through Thursday morning.
ROSEBURG, Ore. — Rain, mountain snow and gusty winds are expected to impact parts of Southern Oregon on Wednesday as a cold front moves through the region, according to the National Weather Service in Medford.
Forecasters said the most active period is expected through Wednesday morning and afternoon, with coastal areas seeing periods of moderate to heavy rainfall and moderate rain also possible in the Umpqua Valley. Snow is expected to continue in the Cascades, where higher elevations could see significant accumulation and periods of heavy snowfall.
TripCheck cameras early Wednesday showed snow around Diamond Lake and along parts of Highway 97.
The National Weather Service said snowfall rates in the Cascades could reach up to 1 inch per hour over peaks and ridgelines, with hazardous travel conditions possible through Thursday morning. A Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect for the Cascades from Crater Lake northward above 4,000 feet until 5 a.m. Thursday.
East of the Cascades, gusty winds are expected to develop Wednesday, prompting a Wind Advisory from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. for parts of Lake County and nearby areas in Northern California.
Forecasters said precipitation and winds should ease Wednesday night, but colder air moving in behind the front will bring dropping snow levels and chilly overnight temperatures. Snow levels are expected to fall to around 2,500 feet late Wednesday night and could dip to 1,500 feet by Thursday morning, though widespread winter impacts are not expected at lower elevations.
Farther south, a Frost Advisory is in effect Wednesday night into Thursday morning for the Rogue, Applegate and Illinois valleys, where localized freezing temperatures are possible. A Freeze Watch is also in place for late Thursday night into Friday morning in parts of Southern Oregon and Northern California.
Conditions are expected to turn drier and warmer Friday and Saturday under a ridge of high pressure. Another weather system could arrive later this weekend into early next week, though details remain uncertain.
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