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--> --> Drying out period forecast for end of week By Vickie Aldous Ashland Daily Tidings Ashland flirted with snowflakes today as the snow level dropped to 2,000 feet, but the snow level is due to rise to nearly 3,000 feet on Tuesday. Downtown Ashland sits at about 2,000 feet in elevation. Although the threat of snow in the city will recede, light rain is likely on Tuesday, with high temperatures in the 40s and lows in the 30s, according to the National Weather Service office in Medford. The weather service has not yet made snow level predictions for the rest of the week, but forecasts a likelihood of light rain through Thursday with highs in the mid 40s and lows from 35 to 40. The area will be drier on Friday and Saturday, although valley fog and mostly cloudy weather will prevail. Lows will be in the 30s with highs 45 to 50. A chance of rain returns on Sunday, along with lows in the 30s and highs in the 40s. After a year of drought, the abundant rain and snow has brought precipitation levels for the water year, which begins in September, to half an inch above normal, according to Murray Orr, a hydrometeorological technician with the weather service. But the snow is causing hazardous conditions on the Siskiyou Pass, where Interstate 5 is coated with packed snow, according to the Oregon Department of Transportation Ashland field office. Chains are required on the pass today, even on vehicles equipped with studded or traction tires, according to field office staff. Traction devices are advised on the Mt. Ashland Ski Area access road, which is plowed but packed with snow, according to ski officials. The ski area received 15 inches of new snow between Sunday morning and this morning, building the snowpack to 69 inches at the base and 77 inches at the top of the mountain. Email your... Technical questions & comments to: WebMaster Daily Tidings editorial comments & questions to: Editor Visit our other Oregon Newspapers... | Albany Democrat-Herald | Ashland Daily Tidings | Corvallis Gazette-Times | | Lebanon Express | Newport News-Times | Springfield News | Cottage Grove Sentinel | Ashland Daily Tidings 1661 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, OR 97520 Telephone 541-482-3456 © Copyright 2001 Lee Northwest Publishing