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.

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 2/26 -

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Mostly sunny and warm for all areas. Patchy areas of fog and low clouds for inland areas of Coos and Douglas Counties in the morning. Highs will be near 40 to the low 50s for the mountains, and near 50 to near 60 east of the Cascades.

Tonight -

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Mostly clear skies, except skies becoming mostly cloudy with areas of fog in allparts of Coos and Douglas Counties west of the Cascades. Lows will be near 20 to near 30 for the Cascades in Oregon, low to mid 30s for the Siskiyous and the mountains of Northern California, and upper teens to near 30 east of the Cascades.