Road conditions for Southern Oregon and Northern California.

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SNOW ZONE LAWS ARE IN EFFECT!! They apply to residents and non residents alike, without exceptions. From now through March 31st, you must carry chains or have approved traction tires or studs on regardless of vehicle type in Oregon in areas designated snow zones. In Southern Oregon that is ALL areas of the Cascades above 3000 feet, and also ALL areas east of the Cascades regardless of elevation point. West of the Cascades, Snow Zones are designated with signage where applicable. This can be any elevation point with incline gradients to the road involved. You are encouraged to have chains with you regardless of vehicle type and if you have approved snow tires or studs on. In times of heavy snowfalls, traction tires alone will not suffice. And, if you are towing you will always have to chain up. ALWAYS!

In Northern California, Snow Zones are designated with signage. However, carry chains will only be the law when winter weather conditions are occurring or are expected to occur. As is the case with Oregon, approved traction tires or studs will typically get you by. But! They do require chains to be with any vehicle at any time if the conditions call for it. They will screen your vehicle to be sure you have them. Therefore.....ALL vehicles must carry chains in California regardless of type. And, in California it is not uncommon for chain requirements to include 4 wheel / all wheel drive vehicles.

If you have not put your studded tires on yet, you will want to do that now. Snow, with packed snow on road surfaces, can be expected at any time above 4000 feet in Southern Oregon and Northern California through at least late March. Many highly traveled routes including Siskiyou Summit on I 5 are above 4000 feet. ALL passes through the Cascades in Southern Oregon and Northern California are above 4000 feet. Need studded tires or tire chains? Please scroll down below and click on the Les Schwab Tire Center banner you see.

Weather forecast for the mountains and east of the Cascades in Central and Southern Oregon, and for Northern California:

TODAY 1/20 -

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Wind Advisory in effect for the Shasta Valley in Siskiyou County. Impacts for travel on I 5 from Yreka to Weed for high profile vehicles. Click here for more information.

Areas of morning fog and low clouds that will burn off. Skies will be mostly cloudy for all areas. A chance for rain developing at the coast, and in Western Josephine County developing late in the day into the evening. A chance for rain and snow developing in Northern California late in the day into the evening. Snow levels will be 3000 to 4000 feet. Expect breezy to windy conditions for all areas with winds of 5 to 20 miles an hour likely. Expect winds gusting 20 to 30 miles an hour at the coast, and in the mountains above 5000 feet. Expect winds in the Shasta Valley to be sustained from the south at 25 to 35 miles an hour with gusts to 55 miles an hour expected. Highs will be in the 30s to the low 40s for the mountains, and low to mid 40s east of the Cascades.

Tonight -

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Winter Storm Warnings, Winter Weather Advsiory, and Wind Advisories in effect for Southern Oregon and Siskiyou County in Northern California. Impacts for travel on I 5 from Yreka to Dunsmuir due to snow and wind. Click here for more information.

Rain, wind, and snow for all areas. Snow levels will be 3000 to 4000 feet. Expect 1 to 5 inches of snow in the mountains above 4000 feet in Oregon. Expect 3 to 7 inches of snow above 4000 feet in Northern California, with 1 to 3 inches of snow above 3000 feet. Expect breezy to windy conditions for all areas with winds of 5 to 20 miles an hour likely. Expect winds gusting 20 to 30 miles an hour at the coast, and in the mountains above 5000 feet. Expect winds in the Shasta Valley to be sustained from the south at 25 to 35 miles an hour with gusts to 55 miles an hour expected. Lows will be near 20 to the low 30s for the mountains, and upper 20s to the mid 30s east of the Cascades.