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Snow expected to hammer higher elevations in Southern Oregon Wednesday night By Kevin Opsahl Updated: Nov 29, 2022 08:06 PM A A Heavy snow is expected Wednesday night into Thursday at higher elevations throughout Southern Oregon and Northern California. Ten to 20 inches of snow are possible on the Siskiyou Summit. [Jamie Lusch / Mail Tribune] A winter storm approaching from the northwest is expected to drop close to 2 feet of snow in the mountains ringing the Rogue Valley Wednesday and Thursday, but the valley floor is unlikely to get more than a dusting, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Mike Petrucelli. “We don’t have any advisories or warnings out for the Rogue Valley,” he said Tuesday. “Some of the surrounding hills around 2,000 feet will get accumulating snow, but if you’re talking right around Medford, it may see a rain changing to snow mix toward daybreak Thursday, but probably not sticking to the ground.” Diamond Lake and Crater Lake could see up to 20 inches of snow, Petrucelli said. The Siskiyou Summit could get at least 10 inches and as much as 20 inches Wednesday into Thursday, Petrucelli said. One to 3 inches are expected for the Sexton Summit. On Mount Ashland, new snow accumulation of 8 to 12 inches is possible at the ski area, with another 9 to 13 inches possible Thursday, according to the Mt. Ashland website. For travelers heading into Northern California, a winter storm watch is in effect from Wednesday afternoon through Thursday evening. Winds of 25 to 35 mph are expected, with gusts of 45 mph in the mountains. Snowfall totals of 5 to 20 inches are predicted in various parts of the county, with the heaviest snow expected around Mount Shasta City and south of Tennant. The Wednesday forecast for Medford calls for 80% chance of rain, followed by “patchy, dense fog” Wednesday night. “It’s going to be rain because the snow levels are going to start out a little higher, right around 4,000 feet, and then they’ll come down Wednesday night,” Petrucelli said. Thursday calls for a 90% chance of rain, snow and areas of dense fog, but any snow that occurs would come before 1 p.m. and then turn to rain, according to the NWS forecast. “The front’s going to come through Thursday morning, and then we’re in a shower pattern during the day,” Petrucelli said. “We’ll get a little bit of a break Thursday into Friday.” Friday includes a chance of “little or no snow” before 1 p.m., with rain possible after 4 p.m. The day is expected to be mostly cloudy, with a high temperature near 42 degrees. The weekend could also see some significant precipitation, but details are a ways away, according to Petrucelli. “Friday night into Saturday does look pretty active,” he said, describing it as a possible “rain/snow mix.” “It’s still several days out there. We really can’t pin it down at this point,” Petrucelli said. Reach reporter Kevin Opsahl at 541-776-4476 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @KevJourno.