More snow, possibly freezing rain tonight - News - MailTribune.com - Medford, OR

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More snow, possibly freezing rain tonight Friday Jan 6, 2017 at 12:20 PM Jan 6, 2017 at 3:00 PM Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune @RyanPfeil Rogue Valley residents can expect more snow and possibly freezing rain tonight and early Saturday morning before rain is forecast to melt it all away Saturday afternoon. "While snowfall amounts are not expected to be excessive, the combination of new snow and freezing rain on existing snowpack and very cold surfaces, including roads, may make travel very difficult late tonight into Saturday," a Weather Service bulletin reads. A winter storm warning is in effect late tonight until about 12 p.m. Saturday, the Weather Service reported. Snow levels are expected to start at about 1,000 feet tonight, rising to about 6,000 feet by Saturday evening. Less than an inch of new snowfall is expected in Medford. Up to 6 inches could fall along Dead Indian Memorial Road, while 8 inches could fall on the Siskiyou Summit. Anywhere from a foot to 18 inches could fall at Crater Lake. That's on top of some of the heaviest snowfall in almost a century that iced area streets and closed schools for four days in a row. "(Overall) we're expecting it's going to be a changeover to rain all across the board" Saturday, said meteorologist Brad Schaaf, adding there could be a transition period of freezing rain. The forecast has weather officials on the lookout for potential flooding, as heavy rainfall is expected to saturate snowpack at lower elevations, boosting runoff levels. More rain could return to the area on Tuesday. Area residents should not travel unless necessary. Those motorists should have an emergency kit at the ready, including tire chains, a flashlight, extra batteries, blankets, food, water and medications. Reach reporter Ryan Pfeil at 541-776-4468 or [email protected]. Follow him at www.twitter.com/ryanpfeil.