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34 °F Forecast | Road Cams Thursday, December 16, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Passport to the Rogue Valley EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend December 8, 2004 Wrecks clogged highways on snowy Tuesday morning State police in Southern Oregon found themselves stretched to the limit Tuesday morning when several highways and Interstate 5 were blocked by vehicles involved in weather-related crashes. "We had problems everywhere," said Oregon State Police Lt. Kurt Barthel. Wrecks closed snowy roadways on highways 140, 227 and I-5 at Siskiyou Summit and in Josephine County near Wolf Creek. On Highway 238 at Jacksonville Hill, Oregon Department of Transportation crews early Tuesday made several passes with a snowplow before temperatures dropped and the road became icy, said John Vial, ODOT district manager. A few accidents were reported and traffic was delayed for at least 30 minutes while crews de-iced the road, Vial said. Another storm was expected to move into the region Tuesday evening, bringing with it snowfall to elevations above 3,000 feet and rain in the Rogue Valley, where more than an inch of precipitation could fall by the time the system passes through the region. "This one is looking to be a little warmer (than Monday’s storm), with a little bit higher snow levels," said meteorologist Bill Ludwig of the National Weather Service. "We expect similar precipitation totals." Advertisement Siskiyou Summit was the only section of I-5 in Oregon where snow was forecast, Ludwig said. The region’s first real winter storm of the season dumped a generous amount of snow on local ski areas, officials said. About 20 inches of snow fell Monday at the Mount Shasta Board & Ski Park, which will open Friday, said marketing director Gene Landsmann. Rick Saul, marketing director for the Mount Ashland ski area, said slopes were being inspected Tuesday after 16 inches of new snow fell at the mountain. Monday night’s storm pushed the total snowfall to 24 inches at the base and 30 inches at the top. "We’re encouraged by what we’re seeing and we’re encouraged by the forecast," Saul said. Mount Ashland managers will meet today to decide if the ski area can be opened Friday, or possibly Saturday, he said. Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities