Sixth wettest year so far; and it's not letting up - News - MailTribune.com - Medford, OR

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Sixth wettest year so far; and it's not letting up Monday Mar 6, 2017 at 9:45 AM Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune @RyanPfeil Following the latest round of winter weather to drape parts of southwestern Oregon with snow, Medford is in the midst of its sixth wettest year on record. As of Monday morning, about 20.82 inches of precipitation had fallen on the city since Oct. 1, when the 2016-17 water year began, the National Weather Service reported. The average amount is 12.41 inches. The reigning champion is still 1955-56, when nearly 27 inches of precipitation fell. Snowpack in the Rogue and Umpqua basins is also at 133 percent of average, according to data from the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Sites such as Big Red Mountain, Annie Springs, Fourmile Lake and Diamond Lake are included in that snow-water equivalent measurement. The region's weekend snowfall dropped "close to sea level," with a little snowfall recorded in Port Orford, Weather Service meteorologist Shad Keene said. Crater Lake was closing in on 2 feet of new snow late Sunday, with 3 to 6 inches across the Illinois Valley, about 2 inches in Grants Pass, 1-1/4 inches in Eagle Point and 2 inches in parts of Ashland. The weather prompted two-hour delays for the Rogue River, Prospect and Butte Falls school districts today. A winter weather advisory remains in effect until noon for areas below 2,500 feet in elevation around Jackson County, with up to 3 more inches of snow possible, according to a Weather Service bulletin. A winter storm warning remains in effect in higher elevations, with up to 8 inches of new snow forecast for areas above 2,500 feet, and up to 15 inches above 3,500 feet, the advisory reads. Prospect, portions of Highway 238 near Toketee Falls, the Tiller-Trail Highway over the Umpqua Divide, Highway 140 near Lake of the Woods, and portions of Highway 238 between Jacksonville and Ruch are included in the winter storm warning. Slushy roads and limited visibility could affect travelers. This morning, reports of numerous spinouts and stalls at about milepost 80 near Glendale prompted a temporary hold on southbound traffic, but the road has since reopened. "The roads are being impacted everywhere," Keene said. Motorists driving on area highways are advised to keep tire chains, flashlight, batteries, blankets, food, water, medications and a fully charged phone in their vehicle. They should also budget extra time to get to their destination and allow for extra room between vehicles. Snow is expected to shift to rain for much of this week. "We've got multiple storm systems coming in. The wet conditions, they don't look like they give up until Friday afternoon," Keene said.  Reach reporter Ryan Pfeil at 541-776-4468 or [email protected]. Follow him at www.twitter.com/ryanpfeil.