Heavy Snow, Moderate Rain and Strong Winds Saturday into Saturday Night
Impacts
● Snow:
○ Travel delays and impacts on major highways such as Interstate 5.
○ Plows may not be able to keep up with the snow at times.
○ Power outages and downed trees possible.
● Strong winds:
○ Strong winds will make travel difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.
○ Power outages and downed trees are possible with strong winds.
Forecast Confidence
● Moderate Rain confidence: High.
● Heavy Snow confidence: Moderate to high for snow affecting Interstate 5.
● Snow Level: Moderate confidence for exact snow levels. Lower snow levels, below 3000 feet
may occur during periods of high snowfall rates
● Winds: High confidence Shasta Valley. Moderate to high confidence east of the Cascades.
Moderate for the Rogue Valley and Siskiyous as to whether winds will reach warning level
strength (warning threshold is gusts over 57 mph). Confidence is high that winds will reach at
least Advisory level.
Timing and Strength
● Snow:
○ 8 to 10 inches Saturday through Saturday night in the Mount Shasta area as well as the ridges
of Western Siskiyou County. 4 to 8 inches in the Cascades, and 2 to 4 inches over Siskiyou
Summit on Interstate 5.
● Snow levels:
○ 2500 to 3000 feet in the Mount Shasta area. 2500 to 3000 feet initially over the remainder
of the area, rising to 3000 to 4000 feet Saturday afternoon.
● Rain:
○ Around 1 inch over Western Siskiyou County and Curry County. Light to moderate rain
over inland valleys in Southern Oregon.
● Winds:
○ Shasta Valley: South to southeast 30 to 45 mph with gusts to 65 mph possible. The
strongest winds will occur near Weed Airport. Winds will increase Saturday morning,
peak in the early afternoon, then diminish Saturday evening.
○ East of the Cascades: South winds 35 to 45 mph with gusts to 65 mph over the ridges.
Winds will increase Saturday morning, peak mid-afternoon, then diminish Saturday
Night.
○ Siskiyou Mountains, including Mount Ashland: Southeast to southwest winds 35 to 50
mph with gusts to 75 mph possible. Wind will increase Saturday morning, increase
through the afternoon, and then diminish late in the evening.
○ Rogue Valley: Southeast to southwest winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts to 55 to 60 mph
are possible.Winds will increase Saturday morning, peak in the afternoon or early
evening, then diminish Saturday night.
Weather Summary
A strong low pressure area will move in from the southwest Saturday. This will bring
strong winds and heavy snow to parts of southern Oregon and northern California. The
storm will peak Saturday afternoon and evening. Conditions will improve Saturday night,
but another storm may move in Sunday.