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Two more storms take aim at us Weather service expects snow above 3,500 feet as our normal pattern begins sending storm after storm By SCOTT SMITH Mail Tribune Batten down the hatches because the wild weather is just beginning - particularly if you're trying to head south from the Rogue Valley. National Weather Service forecasters predict a series of storms that will drop nearly 2 feet of fresh snow on Southern Oregon's mountains by Monday night, with more waiting in the wings. "Things are going to start to go downhill in the afternoon," said Ryan Sandler, a meteorologist at the weather service's Medford office. "We're going to see a series of storms through the weekend with the brunt coming in (tonight) and Sunday." Sandler said there will be a few inches of snow in Southern Oregon's mountains by the end of today, up to another 5 inches by Saturday night and another storm arriving Sunday. "The next storm system will be right on its heels ... it could easily be another 6 to 12 inches in the mountains Sunday through Monday." Snow levels will hover at about 3,500 feet through Sunday, Sandler said, adding, "We're not expecting snow in the valley, but for sure in the mountains." And hold on to your hats because Sandler said the forecast looks stormy through next week. "It seems unusual since last year when it was so dry, but this is our normal pattern," he said. "What we expect is storm after storm with brief breaks in between, which is good because that's what we need after last year." Sandler said the forecast for Mount Ashland's opening today calls for wind and light snow developing by afternoon. "Not the best day to ski but the real die-hards, they don't care. "They're definitely going to build their base up over the weekend." Ski Ashland reported 45 inches of snow at the base with 50 inches on top Thursday morning. Good news on Mount Ashland means bad news for travelers over the Siskiyous. Sandler said the snow level will remain below the Siskiyou pass elevation until Sunday, when it will rise to 4,500 feet. The pass is at 4,300 feet. The pass, closed because of blizzard conditions Wednesday afternoon and reopened in the wee hours of Thursday, cleared of traffic by late afternoon. "For the bulk of the weekend, the snow will be below pass level, which means they're going to have more problems," Sandler said. "Traveling this weekend over the passes does not look to be good." The Rogue Valley is keeping up the pace on rainfall totals, with more than twice the rainfall this fall compared to last. The rainfall total as of Wednesday afternoon since Sept. 1 was 5.10 inches, slightly below the normal 5.46 inches. Interstate 5 was open over the Siskiyous with chain restrictions in place Thursday. Highway 199 was closed to all traffic late Thursday because of a rock slide 9 miles south of the state line. Crews hadn't planned to remove any of the slide until late evening. For information on highway conditions in Oregon, call 800-977-6368. In California, call 800-427-7623. You can also check road conditions in Oregon by visiting www.tripcheck.com on the Web. Reach reporting team editor Scott T. Smith at 776-4464, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.