The NWS says our clear skies are ending beginning tomorrow. We are expecting to see rain for Friday followed by a snow storm Sunday into Monday. Right now according to the latest data, about 3-4 inches of snow are possible over the weekend into Monday here in Klamath Falls. We certainly hope it’s more than that!
The storm arriving on Sunday will contain modified arctic air and will be some of the coldest air we have seen this winter. Highs on Monday are forecast to be about 28 degrees! Lows will be very cold after the storm clearing later on Monday into Tuesday, likely in the single digits for our area.
Hazardous travel conditions are possible with packed snow, black ice, and possibly reduced visibility in snow showers.
The latest info from the NWS:
A front will arrive Thursday night into Friday providing some gusty winds to the Shasta Valley, Summer Lake area, and some of the other Valleys in Lake County as well as across the Warner Mountains in Modoc County. This front will bring periods of moderate rainfall to the coast and coastal ranges as well as mountain snow. Snow levels will start around 7000 feet Thursday night and fall to around 5000 feet on Friday. Conditions become showery as another weak system enters the area, so there will be some breaks between bands of rain and snow beginning Friday night. Snow levels will continue to fall to around 3000 by Sunday morning and will fall to 500 to 1000 feet on Monday as another system brings even more showers on Monday morning. Precipitation should end on Monday afternoon/evening.
Despite some lingering clouds which will keep us warmer than if we had clear skies, temperatures will become very cold after the precipitation with lows reaching near freezing at the coast, the 20s across the west side valleys, and into the teens or single digits east of the Cascades. These cold temperatures will increase refreeze potential on area roadways.
Main points to consider:
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Travel delays and impacts for major highways and roads due to snowy or icy roads:
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Roads above 5000 feet impacted on Friday and Saturday,
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Roads above 3000 feet impacted by Sunday morning
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Roads above 1000 feet Impacted late Sunday night and Monday.
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Snow showers will be possible all the way down to 500 feet Monday.
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Gusty winds could create travel difficulties for the Shasta Valley, Summer Lake Area and several valleys in Lake County and along the Warners in Modoc County on Friday.
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Moderate rainfall rates (Less than a half of an inch an hour) expected Friday, so no flooding impacts expected at this time.
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Cold temperatures are expected across southern Oregon and northern California beginning Tuesday when conditions clear. (Teens east of the cascades, 20s west of the Cascades, and near freezing at the coast).
Klamath Alerts will continue to monitor these storms over the weekend and update as needed.
