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. 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.

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.

DUE TO THE CORONA VIRUS SITUATION.....PLEASE DO NOT TRAVEL FOR LEISURE! REGARDLESS OF IF YOUR STATE IS IN "STAY AT HOME" STATUS OR NOT.....ALL EXPERTS ARE CALLING ON PEOPLE NOT TO TRAVEL ANYWHERE BEYOND THEIR OWN COMMUNITIES UNLESS ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL. THE COOPERATION OF ALL WILL ONLY REDUCE THE TIME THIS IS NEEDED FOR US TO DO. FAILURE TO STOP LEISURE TRAVEL WILL PROLONG THE SITUATION THAT NOBODY WANTS HAPPENING.

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

TODAY 3/27 -

prtcldy

Patchy areas of fog/freezing fog and low clouds west of the Cascades in the morning. Expect to see a chance of rain and snow for all areas west of the Cascades. This will be increasing from north to south through the day. East of the Cascades expect mostly cloudy skies. A chance for rain and snow developing in the afternoon north and then spreading south reaching Southern Modoc County by the evening. Snow levels will be near 3000 feet in the morning rising to 4000 to 5000 feet over the entire region by the afternoon. Highs will be in the low 30s to the mid 40s for the mountains, and mid 40s to the mid 50s east of the Cascades.

Tonight -

ptcldynite

Rain and snow likely for all areas west of the Cascades. East of the Cascades expect rain and snow for Deschutes, Klamath and Lake Counties, and a chance for rain and snow for Modoc County. Snow levels will be holding at 4000 to 5000 feet over the entire region. Expect accumulations of 1 - 3 inches of snow. Lows will be in the mid 20s to mid 30s for the mountains, and mid 20s to the low 30s east of the Cascades.