A big change in the weather is about to occur starting this morning as the warmer than average temperatures are replaced by a much colder air mass. Snow levels will drop rapidly during the day from around 6,500 feet this morning to as low as 1,500-2,500 feet overnight. There is also the potential in heavy showers to see snow levels drop close to 1,500 feet. Given the warm soil and surface temperatures it will be difficult for snow to accumulate, but not impossible. Given this update in the forecast even more areas in the Rogue Valley could see snow on Christmas Day. This would be a huge surprise for many who have been begging for a white Christmas for quite some time. Daytime highs in the valleys will start off in the upper 40s Snow totals will range from 4-8 in the Cascades and 4-6 in the Siskiyous. Mt. Ashland could see around 6-8 of new snow. Areas from 2,000-3,000 feet will see accumulations of 1-3. Areas around 1,500 feet will see a trace to 1 of accumulated snow. Travel over the major passes will become an issue in heavier showers with as much as 4-5 of snow at the Siskiyou Summit on I-5 and 6 of snow at the passes in the Cascades. Please be prepared for winter driving conditions by midday through this evening. Travel on the roadways will become difficult as snow and ice build on the surfaces making it challenging for drivers. Chain restrictions will most likely go into effect during this time frame. Showers will continue as we go into Christmas Day with much colder air remaining over the area. A ridge will develop on Christmas morning resulting in a return of foggy conditions to the area by the weekend. A weak wave of energy will brush the area by Friday but the bulk of the precipitation will go north of the Umpqua divide. A much colder air mass will develop east of the Cascades and this pattern appears to remain in place through the end of the year. We could see some cold overnight lows in the 20s in the western interior valleys. The next best chance of rain and snow wont occur until around the 5th of January.
Posted on: Wed, 24 Dec 2014 15:42:39 +0000
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