Regional snow warning, advisory continue through Monday night; schools closing early

Published 8:10 pm Monday, February 3, 2025

Snow continued to dump in Southern Oregon late Monday morning as traffic advisories remained in effect, public bus service all but shut down and most Rogue Valley school districts began letting students out early because of worsening conditions. Test.

Northbound vehicles approach the chain-up location at Exit 1 on Interstate 5 at the Oregon-California border at 9 a.m. Monday. (ODOT)

The Rogue Valley Transportation District closed all routes except for Route 10 because of dangerous road conditions, the agency said shortly before noon.

According to an update by the National Weather Service office in Medford, posted around 10:45 a.m., a winter storm warning remains in effect through at least 10 p.m. Monday above 2,000 feet with “potentially heavy snow” and highs hovering around 31 degrees with a 90% chance of precipitation.

A winter storm advisory is in effect until 10 p.m. Monday for areas below 2,000 feet in Jackson County.

Total daytime snow accumulation was forecast from 2 to 10 inches above 2,000 feet and between 1 and 3 inches for areas between 1,500 and 2,000 feet, with the highest snow totals expected in the southern part of the county.

Delays of between 20 minutes and two hours were reported amid icy and foggy conditions over the Interstate 5 Siskiyou Summit as of 11 a.m., with chains required.

ODOT officials urged motorists to delay travel, if possible, due to expected difficult conditions, especially over the the Siskiyou Summit as a wintertime atmospheric river of moisture barrels into the region from the Pacific Ocean, according to forecasters.

Road closures for the region include Green Springs Highway 66 east of Ashland from milepost 7 to milepost 51, and Highway 273 near Green Springs Highway from milepost 0 to 12. Those roads are open to local traffic only.

ODOT officials said those who must travel should do so with extreme caution and consider taking a winter storm kit, including items such as tire chains, booster cables, flashlight, shovel, blankets, extra clothing, a first aid kit and water.

Most regional school districts opened on time Monday morning with the exception of the south end of the valley. Ashland School District started with a two-hour delay and moved to a full closure. Southern Oregon University closed for the day.

By late morning, however, most districts across the Rogue Valley announced they would be instituting early dismissal as conditions worsened, including in Medford, Central Point and Phoenix-Talent.

Jackson County Circuit Court announced around 11:35 a.m. that it would close at noon Monday and will remain closed until 10 a.m. Tuesday.
For road updates, visit TripCheck.com.