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1 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Standing Stone event supports Sanctuary One ... A stand for victims ... Man arrested for allegedly trying to torch car in Central Point ... Standing Stone event supports Sanctuary One ... A stand for victims ... Man arrested for allegedly trying to torch car in Central Point ... WEATHER Wetter, colder weather may be in the offing for Rogue Valley Forecasters look for 'robust storm activity' Comment By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Posted Nov. 2, 2015 at 8:32 AM Updated Nov 2, 2015 at 5:51 PM By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Posted Nov. 2, 2015 at 8:32 AM Updated Nov 2, 2015 at 5:51 PM » Social News The Rogue Valley woke up to wet roads and some snow-dusted peaks Monday morning, and forecasters say there is a "realistic hope" there is more of that to come this winter. Road cameras from the Oregon Department of Transportation showed light snow at the Dead Indian Memorial summit early Monday, with snow still falling at the site. National Weather Service officials estimate as much as an inch fell in some spots. Nearby, the Mt. Ashland Ski area received a couple of inches of the white stuff. Weather officials are hopeful that an El Nino system building in the Pacific will send more moisture into Southern Oregon, and they say the latest long-range forecasts are showing colder temperatures than have been the norm in the past two years. "There still very much is a realistic hope based in science that this season will deliver better precipitation and snowpack than the last two winters," meteorologist Brett Lutz said. Forecast models show that November could see close to normal temperatures. That's a change from the past two years, when they were above average. In the winter months, signs are also pointing to chillier and wetter. "There are some pretty strong indications ... that there's going to be some robust storm activity across the region," Lutz said. "I think somewhat optimistic would be an accurate statement." The past four years have seen a continual decline in area snowpack. National Weather Service data show the area was at 91 percent of normal for snow-water equivalent in June 2012. That number plunged to 36 percent in June 2013, then saw another slight dip in 2014 to 29 percent. June 1, 2015, was at zero percent of normal. Water-year precipitation amounts have also continued to drop. In Medford, the average precipitation amount for Oct. 1 through Sept. 30 is 18.35 inches, based on a 30-year average taken from 1981 to 2010. In 2013-14, Medford saw 15.11 inches, with 14.57 inches in 2014-15. The chances of this year being different are right at about 50/50, according to Lutz. But even with a best-case scenario, there's still a high likelihood the area will see drought-like conditions in the spring. How severe depends on the next few months. "Even with a year that is above normal, it won't take care of all the water deficiencies we've seen the last few years," Lutz said. Reach reporter Ryan Pfeil at 541-776-4468 or [email protected] . Follow him at www.twitter.com/ryanpfeil . By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Posted Nov. 2, 2015 at 8:32 AM Updated Nov 2, 2015 at 5:51 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501