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If it snows in valley, a quick melt likely By JILL BRISKEY Mail Tribune If there's snow in the valley today, it likely won't last long as a warm front moving through Southern Oregon pushes snow levels up to 5,500 feet, according to National Weather Service forecasts. But the storm system almost certainly will add to Mount Ashland's base and summit, which is good news for skiers and snowboarders. A weather service snow advisory issued Tuesday in advance of the storm continues into tonight for much of southwestern Oregon. The storm was expected to bring 5 to 9 inches of snow to the Siskiyous overnight, said program manager Dennis Hess of the weather service's Medford office. Precipitation will continue on and off throughout today and into Thursday, with another storm predicted for Saturday. Although the snow level is expected to rise today, it's still good news for Ski Ashland. Mount Ashland is slightly higher than 7,000 feet, and Hess said the storms are expected to dump at least 8 inches of snow at higher elevations. Marketing director Gene Landsmann said that if the snow keeps falling, Ski Ashland will open Friday or Saturday. The average opening date is Dec. 10 for the community-owned ski park. "That sounds like a very good possibility," Landsmann said. "That could be our reality." Mount Ashland recorded 26 inches of snow at its base and 27 inches at the summit on Tuesday. Landsmann said it's not the amount of snow that determines an opening date, but rather the type. Cold, wet snow is the best for building a solid base. Mount Shasta Board and Ski Park is also expected to open next week, said marketing director Scott Ferguson. Ferguson said the 16 inches at the top of Mount Shasta and 8 inches at the base have all been made by ski park equipment. "We've been making our own snow every day since Thanksgiving," he added. "We're looking at an early opening - how early, we don't know." The weather will make travel hazardous on Interstate 5 at the passes north and south of the Rogue Valley. Anticipating a last-minute rush, the Ashland Bi-Mart has a large stock of tire chains ready to sell to motorists tackling the Siskiyous. "Already, we pretty much ran out, and then got a large order in," said general manager Cindi Powell. "It can get really busy." Hess said the weather service has predicted a clear day Friday, followed on Saturday by another storm. Reach reporter Jill Briskey at 776-4485, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.