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Click Here 43 °F Forecast | Road Cams Friday, January 30, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental 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 Email Story to a Friend January 3, 2004 Medford's Sarah Mallory, 11, left, and her friend Kimberly Naves, 10, of Yreka, Calif., put finishing touches on a snowman in Sarah�s yard. Mail Tribune / Jim Craven Flatlanders have a rare bit of FUN IN THE SNOW But weather watchers say warmer temps and continued rain could bring flooding By MEG LANDERS Mail Tribune Joe may have potatoes for ears, plastic spray can lids for eyes and a nut driver for a nose, but for some girls celebrating Medford’s first significant snow in five years, he’s one handsome snowman, and this is one great snowfall. "It’s fun to play in," said Sarah Mallory, 11, of Medford, who created the snowman with her friend Kimberly Naves, 10, of Yreka. The girls were among many people in Medford creating front-yard masterpieces celebrating the snowfall which is not only rare, but temporary. Snowman remnants are expected to get washed away by Monday. According to Mike Stavish, meteorologist at National Weather Service in Medford, 2.8 inches of the fluffy white stuff landed in Medford, an uncommon sight. Advertisement "We got three inches December 20, ‘98," said Stavish, adding that while flurries are common, it’s unusual for such a quantity to accumulate on the ground. Medford Public Works crews were trying to stay ahead of freezing temperatures by sanding city streets Friday. "We’re going around sanding everything we can find in anticipation of it getting icy," said Public Works Director Cory Crebbin. Stavish said snowfall was expected to continue overnight, with freezing temperatures and snow levels at 1,000 feet, but that should be the end of the white fluffy stuff. The snow should turn to rain with a tropical air flow from north of the Hawaiian Islands. Stavish predicts heavy rains with freezing level rising from the current 1,000 feet to 3,000 feet Monday and 4-to-5,000 feet by the end of Tuesday. And that could spell trouble. "The pattern that’s shaping up has the potential for a flooding situation," he said. "We’re moving into a period of heightened awareness." In preparation for the predicted rainfall, the Oregon Department of Transportation and the Medford Public Works Department are keeping crews and equipment at the ready. "We’re preparing for anything," said Jared Castle ODOT public information officer. Castle said the prediction for warm wet weather has them on alert. "It means to us we could potentially see flooding, we could also see sliding," he said. Crebbin said he advises residents to prepare by making sure street gutters and storm drains in front of their houses are clear. He said if the forecast proves accurate, he anticipates crews will be responding to flooding streets. He said there are some streets, such as 10th Street and Riverside Avenue, which seem to be the ones to flood first, and they’ll keep an eye on those. Situations where water is coming over the tops of curbs or a lane is submerged are a priority for crews, he said. But the preparation may all be for naught, which some hope for. "The best thing that could happen to us is a nice cold snap," said Castle. Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail [email protected] . 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 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times