Alert archive / Oregon / Winter Storm Warnings in 2017

Winter Storm Warning 16, NWS Medford, OR

November 14, 20174 counties in Oregon

NWS Medford, OR issued this winter storm warning at Nov 14, 2017, 2:09 PM PST for 4 counties in Oregon. It took effect at Nov 15, 2017, 4:00 AM PST. It was in force for 18 hr. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Nov 14, 2017, 2:09 PM PST (22:09 UTC)
In effect from
Nov 15, 2017, 4:00 AM PST
Expired
Nov 15, 2017, 10:00 PM PST
In force
18 hr
Issued by
NWS Medford, OR

Counties Douglas County, OR, Jackson County, OR, Josephine County, OR, Klamath County, OR

The radar

The Medford radar (KMAX), 68 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:15 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

The nearest sounding before it

Medford/Jackson, OR (KMFR), launched 12:00Z, 10.2 hours before the alert went out and 36 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Medford/Jackson, OR at 12:00Z on 2017-11-14Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 8 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Medford/Jackson, OR at 12:00Z on 2017-11-14The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 16 square meters per square second.1939587897Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
8 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-24 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
777 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
62 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
16 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
133 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

559 
WWUS46 KMFR 142209
WSWMFR

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Medford OR
209 PM PST Tue Nov 14 2017

CAZ083-151400-
/O.NEW.KMFR.WS.W.0016.171115T1800Z-171116T0600Z/
/O.NEW.KMFR.WW.Y.0038.171115T1800Z-171116T0600Z/
North Central and Southeast Siskiyou County-
Including the city of Tennant
209 PM PST Tue Nov 14 2017

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM TO 10 PM PST
WEDNESDAY...
...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM TO 10 PM PST
WEDNESDAY...

* WHAT...Moderate to heavy snow expected. Travel will be
  dangerous over the higher terrain of Siskiyou County. Warning 
  total snow accumulations of 6 to 12 inches, with localized 
  amounts up to 18 inches. Advisory snow amounts of 3 to 6 inches.
 
* WHERE...North Central and Southeast Siskiyou County to include
  Tennant in the advisory area. Warning level amounts are expected
  generally above 5500 feet.

* WHEN...10 AM Wednesday to 10 PM Wednesday.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Significant reductions to visibility are
  expected. Snowfall rates could be briefly high, up to 2 inches
  per hour. Snow levels will rise from around 4000 feet Wednesday
  morning to 5500 feet late Wednesday afternoon.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

* Travel is strongly discouraged because of dangerous conditions.

* If you must travel, keep tire chains, a flashlight, blankets, 
  food, water, medications, and a fully charged phone with you.

* The safest place during a winter storm is indoors.

* A Winter Storm Warning means that severe winter weather is
  likely and poses a threat to life and property. Take protective
  action now.

* A Winter Weather Advisory for snow means that periods of snow
  will cause travel difficulties.

&&

$$

CAZ080-151400-
/O.UPG.KMFR.WS.A.0015.171115T1200Z-171116T0600Z/
/O.NEW.KMFR.WS.W.0016.171115T1200Z-171116T0600Z/
Western Siskiyou County-
209 PM PST Tue Nov 14 2017

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 4 AM TO 10 PM PST
WEDNESDAY ABOVE 5500 FEET...

* WHAT...Heavy snow expected. Travel will be dangerous over the 
  higher terrain of Western Siskiyou County. Total snow 
  accumulations of 6 to 12 inches, with localized amounts up to 16
  inches.

* WHERE...Western Siskiyou County above 5500 feet to include Etna
  Summit on Sawyers Bar Road.

* WHEN...4 AM Wednesday to 10 PM Wednesday. 

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Significant reductions in visibility are
  expected. Snowfall rates will be briefly high, up to 2 inches
  per hour on Wednesday afternoon. Snow levels will initially be 
  around 4500 feet Wednesday morning, but snow should change to 
  rain below 5500 feet by late Wednesday afternoon. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

* Travel is strongly discouraged because of dangerous conditions.

* If you must travel, keep tire chains, a flashlight, blankets, 
  food, water, medications, and a fully charged phone with you.

* The safest place during a winter storm is indoors.

* A Winter Storm Warning means that severe winter weather is
  likely and poses a threat to life and property. Take protective
  action now.

&&

$$

ORZ027-151400-
/O.UPG.KMFR.WS.A.0015.171115T1800Z-171116T0600Z/
/O.NEW.KMFR.WS.W.0016.171115T1800Z-171116T0600Z/
South Central Oregon Cascades-
Including the city of Crater Lake
209 PM PST Tue Nov 14 2017

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM TO 10 PM PST
WEDNESDAY ABOVE 5500 FEET...

* WHAT...Heavy snow expected. Plan on dangerous travel conditions.
  Strong winds may cause tree branches to fall. Total snow 
  accumulations of 6 to 12 inches are expected.

* WHERE...South Central Oregon Cascades above 5500 feet. This 
  includes Crater Lake National Park.

* WHEN...10 AM Wednesday to 10 PM Wednesday. 

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Significant reductions in visibility are
  expected. Snowfall rates will be briefly high, up to 2 inches
  per hour Wednesday afternoon. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

* Travel is strongly discouraged because of dangerous conditions.

* If you must travel, keep tire chains, a flashlight, blankets, 
  food, water, medications, and a fully charged phone with you.

* The safest place during a winter storm is indoors.

* A Winter Storm Warning means that severe winter weather is
  likely and poses a threat to life and property. Take protective
  action now.

&&

$$

ORZ028-151400-
/O.UPG.KMFR.WS.A.0015.171115T1800Z-171116T0600Z/
/O.NEW.KMFR.WS.W.0016.171115T1800Z-171116T0600Z/
Siskiyou Mountains and Southern Oregon Cascades-
209 PM PST Tue Nov 14 2017

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM TO 10 PM PST
WEDNESDAY ABOVE 5500 FEET...

* WHAT...Heavy snow expected. Plan on dangerous travel conditions.
  Strong winds may cause tree branches could to fall. Total snow 
  accumulations of 6 to 12 inches are expected.

* WHERE...Siskiyou Mountains and Southern Oregon Cascades above
  5500 feet. This includes Mt. Ashland Ski Area.

* WHEN...10 AM Wednesday to 10 PM Wednesday. The heaviest 
  snowfall rates will occur between 10 AM and 4 PM Wednesday.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Significant reductions in visibility are
  expected. Snowfall rates may be briefly high, up to 2 inches per
  hour Wednesday afternoon.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

* Travel is strongly discouraged because of dangerous conditions.

* If you must travel, keep tire chains, a flashlight, blankets, 
  food, water, medications, and a fully charged phone with you.

* The safest place during a winter storm is indoors.

* A Winter Storm Warning means that severe winter weather is
  likely and poses a threat to life and property. Take protective
  action now.

&&

$$

CAZ082-151400-
/O.NEW.KMFR.WS.W.0016.171115T1800Z-171116T0600Z/
South Central Siskiyou County-
209 PM PST Tue Nov 14 2017

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM TO 10 PM PST
WEDNESDAY ABOVE 4000 FEET...

* WHAT...Heavy snow expected. Strong winds may cause tree branches
  to fall. Total snow accumulations of 7 to 14 inches.

* WHERE...South Central Siskiyou County above 4000 feet to include
  Snowmans Summit on Highway 89 and Everitt Memorial Highway.

* WHEN...10 AM Wednesday to 10 PM Wednesday. 

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Significant reductions in visibility are
  expected. Snow will likely change to rain below 5500 feet late
  Wednesday afternoon. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

* Travel is strongly discouraged because of dangerous conditions.

* If you must travel, keep tire chains, a flashlight, blankets, 
  food, water, medications, and a fully charged phone with you.

* The safest place during a winter storm is indoors.

* A Winter Storm Warning means that severe winter weather is
  likely and poses a threat to life and property. Take protective
  action now.

&&

$$

SK
3 follow-up statements
558 
WWUS46 KMFR 151129
WSWMFR

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Medford OR
329 AM PST Wed Nov 15 2017

CAZ083-160000-
/O.EXT.KMFR.WW.Y.0038.171115T1800Z-171116T0900Z/
/O.CON.KMFR.WS.W.0016.171115T1800Z-171116T0600Z/
North Central and Southeast Siskiyou County-
Including the city of Tennant
329 AM PST Wed Nov 15 2017

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM TO 10 PM PST
WEDNESDAY...
...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM TO 10 PM PST
WEDNESDAY...

* WHAT...Moderate to heavy snow expected. Travel will be
  dangerous over the higher terrain of Siskiyou County. Warning 
  total snow accumulations of 6 to 12 inches, with localized 
  amounts up to 18 inches. Advisory snow amounts of 3 to 6 inches.
 
* WHERE...North Central and Southeast Siskiyou County to include
  Tennant in the advisory area. Warning level amounts are expected
  generally above 5500 feet.

* WHEN...10 AM this morning to 10 PM this evening.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Significant reductions to visibility are
  expected. Snowfall rates could be briefly high, up to 2 inches
  per hour. Snow levels will rise from around 4000 feet this
  morning to 5500 feet late this afternoon.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

* Travel is strongly discouraged because of dangerous conditions.

* If you must travel, keep tire chains, a flashlight, blankets, 
  food, water, medications, and a fully charged phone with you.

* The safest place during a winter storm is indoors.

* A Winter Storm Warning means that severe winter weather is
  likely and poses a threat to life and property. Take protective
  action now.

* A Winter Weather Advisory for snow means that periods of snow
  will cause travel difficulties.

&&

$$

CAZ082-160000-
/O.CON.KMFR.WS.W.0016.171115T1800Z-171116T0600Z/
South Central Siskiyou County-
329 AM PST Wed Nov 15 2017

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM TO 10 PM PST
WEDNESDAY ABOVE 4000 FEET...

* WHAT...Heavy snow expected. Strong winds may cause tree branches
  to fall. Total snow accumulations of 7 to 14 inches.

* WHERE...South Central Siskiyou County above 4000 feet to include
  Snowmans Summit on Highway 89 and Everitt Memorial Highway.

* WHEN...10 AM this morning to 10 PM this evening. 

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Significant reductions in visibility are
  expected. Snow will likely change to rain below 5500 feet late
  this afternoon. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

* Travel is strongly discouraged because of dangerous conditions.

* If you must travel, keep tire chains, a flashlight, blankets, 
  food, water, medications, and a fully charged phone with you.

* The safest place during a winter storm is indoors.

* A Winter Storm Warning means that severe winter weather is
  likely and poses a threat to life and property. Take protective
  action now.

&&

$$

CAZ080-160000-
/O.CON.KMFR.WS.W.0016.171115T1200Z-171116T0600Z/
Western Siskiyou County-
329 AM PST Wed Nov 15 2017

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 4 AM TO 10 PM PST
WEDNESDAY ABOVE 5500 FEET...

* WHAT...Heavy snow expected. Travel will be dangerous over the 
  higher terrain of Western Siskiyou County. Total snow 
  accumulations of 6 to 12 inches, with localized amounts up to 16
  inches.

* WHERE...Western Siskiyou County above 5500 feet to include Etna
  Summit on Sawyers Bar Road.

* WHEN...until 10 PM this evening. 

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Significant reductions in visibility are
  expected. Snowfall rates will be briefly high, up to 2 inches
  per hour this afternoon. Snow levels will initially be around
  4500 feet this morning, but snow should change to rain below
  5500 feet by late this afternoon. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

* Travel is strongly discouraged because of dangerous conditions.

* If you must travel, keep tire chains, a flashlight, blankets, 
  food, water, medications, and a fully charged phone with you.

* The safest place during a winter storm is indoors.

* A Winter Storm Warning means that severe winter weather is
  likely and poses a threat to life and property. Take protective
  action now.

&&

$$

ORZ027-160000-
/O.CON.KMFR.WS.W.0016.171115T1800Z-171116T0600Z/
South Central Oregon Cascades-
Including the city of Crater Lake
329 AM PST Wed Nov 15 2017

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM TO 10 PM PST
WEDNESDAY ABOVE 5500 FEET...

* WHAT...Heavy snow expected. Plan on dangerous travel conditions.
  Strong winds may cause tree branches to fall. Total snow 
  accumulations of 6 to 12 inches are expected.

* WHERE...South Central Oregon Cascades above 5500 feet. This 
  includes Crater Lake National Park.

* WHEN...10 AM this morning to 10 PM this evening. 

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Significant reductions in visibility are
  expected. Snowfall rates will be briefly high, up to 2 inches
  per hour this afternoon. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

* Travel is strongly discouraged because of dangerous conditions.

* If you must travel, keep tire chains, a flashlight, blankets, 
  food, water, medications, and a fully charged phone with you.

* The safest place during a winter storm is indoors.

* A Winter Storm Warning means that severe winter weather is
  likely and poses a threat to life and property. Take protective
  action now.

&&

$$

ORZ028-160000-
/O.CON.KMFR.WS.W.0016.171115T1800Z-171116T0600Z/
Siskiyou Mountains and Southern Oregon Cascades-
329 AM PST Wed Nov 15 2017

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM TO 10 PM PST
WEDNESDAY ABOVE 5500 FEET...

* WHAT...Heavy snow expected. Plan on dangerous travel conditions.
  Strong winds may cause tree branches could to fall. Total snow 
  accumulations of 6 to 12 inches are expected.

* WHERE...Siskiyou Mountains and Southern Oregon Cascades above
  5500 feet. This includes Mt. Ashland Ski Area.

* WHEN...10 AM this morning to 10 PM this evening. The heaviest
  snowfall rates will occur between 10 AM and 4 PM today.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Significant reductions in visibility are
  expected. Snowfall rates may be briefly high, up to 2 inches per
  hour this afternoon.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

* Travel is strongly discouraged because of dangerous conditions.

* If you must travel, keep tire chains, a flashlight, blankets, 
  food, water, medications, and a fully charged phone with you.

* The safest place during a winter storm is indoors.

* A Winter Storm Warning means that severe winter weather is
  likely and poses a threat to life and property. Take protective
  action now.

&&

$$
604 
WWUS46 KMFR 152216
WSWMFR

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Medford OR
216 PM PST Wed Nov 15 2017

CAZ083-160900-
/O.CON.KMFR.WS.W.0016.000000T0000Z-171116T0600Z/
/O.CON.KMFR.WW.Y.0038.000000T0000Z-171116T0900Z/
North Central and Southeast Siskiyou County-
Including the city of Tennant
216 PM PST Wed Nov 15 2017

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM PST THIS
EVENING...
...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 AM PST
THURSDAY...

* WHAT...Moderate to heavy snow expected. Travel will be
  dangerous over the higher terrain of Siskiyou County. Warning 
  total snow accumulations of 6 to 12 inches, with localized 
  amounts up to 18 inches. Advisory snow amounts of 3 to 6 inches.

* WHERE...North Central and Southeast Siskiyou County to include
  Tennant in the advisory area. Warning level amounts are expected
  generally above 5500 feet.

* WHEN...For the Winter Storm Warning, until 10 PM. For the Winter
  Weather Advisory, until 1 AM Thursday.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Significant reductions to visibility are
  expected. Snowfall rates could briefly reach up to 2 inches per
  hour. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

* Travel is strongly discouraged because of dangerous conditions.

* If you must travel, keep tire chains, a flashlight, blankets, 
  food, water, medications, and a fully charged phone with you.

* The safest place during a winter storm is indoors.

* A Winter Storm Warning means that severe winter weather is
  likely and poses a threat to life and property. Take protective
  action now.

&&

$$

CAZ082-160600-
/O.CON.KMFR.WS.W.0016.000000T0000Z-171116T0600Z/
South Central Siskiyou County-
216 PM PST Wed Nov 15 2017

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM PST THIS
EVENING ABOVE 4000 FEET...

* WHAT...Heavy snow expected. Strong winds may cause tree branches
  to fall. Total snow accumulations of 7 to 14 inches.

* WHERE...South Central Siskiyou County above 4000 feet to include
  Snowmans Summit on Highway 89 and Everitt Memorial Highway.

* WHEN...Until 10 PM this evening.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Significant reductions in visibility are
  expected. Snow will likely change to rain below 5500 feet late
  this afternoon. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

* Travel is strongly discouraged because of dangerous conditions.

* If you must travel, keep tire chains, a flashlight, blankets, 
  food, water, medications, and a fully charged phone with you.

* The safest place during a winter storm is indoors.

* A Winter Storm Warning means that severe winter weather is likely
  and poses a threat to life and property. Take protective action
  now.

&&

$$

CAZ080-160600-
/O.CON.KMFR.WS.W.0016.000000T0000Z-171116T0600Z/
Western Siskiyou County-
216 PM PST Wed Nov 15 2017

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM PST THIS
EVENING ABOVE 5500 FEET...

* WHAT...Heavy snow expected. Travel will be dangerous over the 
  higher terrain of Western Siskiyou County. Total snow 
  accumulations of 6 to 12 inches, with localized amounts up to 16
  inches.

* WHERE...Western Siskiyou County above 5500 feet to include Etna
  Summit on Sawyers Bar Road.

* WHEN...Until 10 PM this evening. 

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Significant reductions in visibility are
  expected. Snowfall rates could briefly reach up to 2 inches per
  hour.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

* Travel is strongly discouraged because of dangerous conditions.

* If you must travel, keep tire chains, a flashlight, blankets, 
  food, water, medications, and a fully charged phone with you.

* The safest place during a winter storm is indoors.

* A Winter Storm Warning means that severe winter weather is likely
  and poses a threat to life and property. Take protective action
  now.

&&

$$

ORZ027-160600-
/O.CON.KMFR.WS.W.0016.000000T0000Z-171116T0600Z/
South Central Oregon Cascades-
Including the city of Crater Lake
216 PM PST Wed Nov 15 2017

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM PST THIS
EVENING ABOVE 5500 FEET...

* WHAT...Heavy snow expected. Plan on dangerous travel conditions.
  Strong winds may cause tree branches to fall. Total snow
  accumulations of 6 to 12 inches are expected.

* WHERE...South Central Oregon Cascades above 5500 feet. This 
  includes Crater Lake National Park.

* WHEN...Until 10 PM this evening.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Significant reductions in visibility are
  expected. Snowfall rates could briefly reach up to 2 inches per
  hour

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

* Travel is strongly discouraged because of dangerous conditions.

* If you must travel, keep tire chains, a flashlight, blankets, 
  food, water, medications, and a fully charged phone with you.

* The safest place during a winter storm is indoors.

* A Winter Storm Warning means that severe winter weather is likely
  and poses a threat to life and property. Take protective action
  now.

&&

$$

ORZ028-160600-
/O.CON.KMFR.WS.W.0016.000000T0000Z-171116T0600Z/
Siskiyou Mountains and Southern Oregon Cascades-
216 PM PST Wed Nov 15 2017

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM PST THIS
EVENING ABOVE 5500 FEET...

* WHAT...Heavy snow expected. Plan on dangerous travel conditions.
  Strong winds may cause tree branches could to fall. Total snow
  accumulations of 6 to 12 inches are expected.

* WHERE...Siskiyou Mountains and Southern Oregon Cascades above
  5500 feet. This includes Mt. Ashland Ski Area.

* WHEN...Until 10 PM this evening.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Significant reductions in visibility are
  expected. Snowfall rates could briefly reach up to 2 inches per
  hour

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

* Travel is strongly discouraged because of dangerous conditions.

* If you must travel, keep tire chains, a flashlight, blankets, 
  food, water, medications, and a fully charged phone with you.

* The safest place during a winter storm is indoors.

* A Winter Storm Warning means that severe winter weather is likely
  and poses a threat to life and property. Take protective action
  now.

&&

$$

KS
972 
WWUS46 KMFR 160614
WSWMFR

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Medford OR
1014 PM PST Wed Nov 15 2017

CAZ083-161415-
/O.EXP.KMFR.WS.W.0016.000000T0000Z-171116T0600Z/
/O.NEW.KMFR.WS.W.0017.171116T0614Z-171117T0600Z/
/O.EXT.KMFR.WW.Y.0038.000000T0000Z-171117T0600Z/
North Central and Southeast Siskiyou County-
Including the city of Tennant
1014 PM PST Wed Nov 15 2017

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM PST THURSDAY
   ABOVE 4000 FEET...
...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM PST 
   THURSDAY...

* WHAT...Heavy snow occurring. Plan on difficult travel
  conditions, including during the evening commute on Thursday.
  Tree branches could fall as well. Additional snow accumulations
  of up to 7 inches, with localized amounts up to 12 inches, are 
  expected. 

* WHERE...North Central and Southeast Siskiyou County.

* WHEN...For the Winter Storm Warning, until 10 PM Thursday. The 
  heaviest snowfall rates will occur between 4 PM and 10 PM 
  Thursday. For the Winter Weather Advisory, until 10 PM 
  Thursday. The heaviest snowfall rates will occur between 4 PM 
  and 10 PM Thursday.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Look for significant reductions in 
  visibility at times.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

* Travel is strongly discouraged because of dangerous conditions.

* If you must travel, keep tire chains, a flashlight, blankets, 
  food, water, medications, and a fully charged phone with you.

* The safest place during a winter storm is indoors.

* A Winter Storm Warning means that severe winter weather is
  occurring and poses a threat to life and property. Take 
  protective action now.

&&

$$

CAZ080-ORZ027-028-161415-
/O.EXP.KMFR.WS.W.0016.000000T0000Z-171116T0600Z/
/O.NEW.KMFR.WS.W.0017.171116T0614Z-171117T0600Z/
Western Siskiyou County-South Central Oregon Cascades-
Siskiyou Mountains and Southern Oregon Cascades-
Including the cities of Crater Lake, Crescent Lake, Diamond Lake,
Howard Prairie, and Siskiyou Summit
1014 PM PST Wed Nov 15 2017

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM PST THURSDAY ABOVE
   4000 FEET...

* WHAT...Heavy snow occurring. Travel will be very difficult to
  impossible, including during the morning commute on Thursday.
  Additional snow accumulations of up to 15 inches, with localized
  amounts up to 20 inches, are expected.

* WHERE...In California, Western Siskiyou County. In Oregon, 
  South Central Oregon Cascades and Siskiyou Mountains and 
  Southern Oregon Cascades.

* WHEN...Until 10 PM Thursday. The heaviest snowfall rates will 
  occur between 4 AM and 10 AM Thursday.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Look for significant reductions in 
  visibility at times.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

* Travel is strongly discouraged because of dangerous conditions.

* If you must travel, keep tire chains, a flashlight, blankets, 
  food, water, medications, and a fully charged phone with you.

* The safest place during a winter storm is indoors.

* A Winter Storm Warning means that severe winter weather is 
  occurring and poses a threat to life and property. Take 
  protective action now.

&&

$$

CAZ082-161415-
/O.EXP.KMFR.WS.W.0016.000000T0000Z-171116T0600Z/
/O.NEW.KMFR.WS.W.0017.171116T0614Z-171117T0600Z/
South Central Siskiyou County-
1014 PM PST Wed Nov 15 2017

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM PST THURSDAY ABOVE
   4000 FEET...

* WHAT...Heavy snow occurring. Plan on difficult travel
  conditions, including during the morning commute on Thursday.
  Tree branches could fall as well. Additional snow accumulations
  of up to 7 inches, with localized amounts up to 12 inches, are 
  expected.

* WHERE...South Central Siskiyou County.

* WHEN...Until 10 PM Thursday. 

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Look for significant reductions in 
  visibility at times.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

* Travel is strongly discouraged because of dangerous conditions.

* If you must travel, keep tire chains, a flashlight, blankets, 
  food, water, medications, and a fully charged phone with you.

* The safest place during a winter storm is indoors.

* A Winter Storm Warning means that severe winter weather is 
  occurring and poses a threat to life and property. Take 
  protective action now.

&&

$$

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this winter storm warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Medford, OR wrote its last area forecast discussion before this winter storm warning went out at Nov 14, 8:43 AM PST, 5 hours 26 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Nov 14, 8:43 AM PST, 5 hours 26 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Medford OR
843 AM PST Tue Nov 14 2017

.DISCUSSION...No major updates this morning. A small area of fog
is lingering in portions of the Rogue Valley, and should lift later
this morning. A mostly dry day is on tap for the forecast area
today, but this will change tomorrow as a strong front moves into
the area and brings moderate to heavy precipitation, along with
winds. Snow levels will lower behind the front Wednesday night.

Please see the previous discussion below for details on the
upcoming weather system and expected impacts.

&&

.AVIATION...14/12Z TAF CYCLE...Marginal stability this morning
will lead to mainly VFR conditions, though isolated areas of MVFR
are possible in the morning hours. Partial terrain obscurations
will also occur across most mountain areas. Southeast winds are
expected at most locations this morning, and then are likely to
turn south to southwest this afternoon into the evening. Showers
will be possible along the coast today, especially later in the
day, and rain is expected along and near the coast beginning
around 06z. MVFR conditions are expected after 06Z along portions
of the coast. Terrain obscurations are expected in the mountains
this afternoon and evening. Increasing winds aloft today and
especially tonight into Wed morning are likely to result in
turbulence. Wind shear is possible along and near the coast after
00Z, especially in areas where surface winds fail to increase due
to terrain blocking. BTL

&&

.MARINE...Updated 400 AM PST Tuesday 14 November 2017...Winds
decreased briefly last night, but they will increase again today as
a frontal system approaches. South winds are expected to reach gales
by this afternoon and continue through Wednesday. We may even see
some storm force gusts just prior to the frontal passage Wednesday
morning. Corresponding seas will be very steep due to a combination
of swell and building wind wave through this afternoon the primarily
from wind waves tonight until the front passes tomorrow. Winds
become west and diminish behind the front later Wednesday, but seas
will likely remain high through Thursday. The active pattern will
continue for the foreseeable future, with more fronts possible over
the next 7 to 10 days. Expect conditions to remain unsettled and
seas to remain elevated through at least the weekend. -BPN/Wright

&&

.PREV DISCUSSION... /Issued 454 AM PST Tue Nov 14 2017/

SHORT TERM...A lot of updates were made in the short term,
primarily related to wind and snow headlines. A strong frontal
system will approach today and then move through tomorrow,
bringing heavy rain to the coast, snow to the mountains, and wind
to some of the valleys. Complicating the forecast considerably is
the possibility of deepening low pressure moving along the front
as it moves onshore tomorrow. The problems with this are two-fold:
1. the passage of low pressure will strengthen pressure gradients
south of its path and weaken them to its north (which affects the
wind forecast), and 2. very heavy precipitation (both valley rain
and mountain snow) is likely near the low which may sap some of
the moisture from locations away from the low. All that said, the
possibility of low pressure both increases the chance of
significant wind and precipitation in some places and lessens it
in others. At the moment, guidance has the low moving onshore
somewhere between Cape Mendocino and Brookings Wednesday afternoon
and then scoots it off to the northeast across southwest Oregon
Wednesday night. I'll break this short term discussion into the
two most important parts, wind and snow.

Wind: High resolution guidance shows strong winds in the Shasta
Valley Wednesday, and forecast MFR-RDD gradients of -6 mb and
strong winds aloft support the idea. Models also show 700 mb winds
peaking at 70-75 knots briefly across the east side Wednesday
evening, and this is certainly sufficient for high wind there.
Low pressure could certainly disrupt the gradients and short-
circuit winds in the Shasta Valley. Nevertheless, the potential is
high enough to warrant high wind watches in both locations, and
those have been issued. Gradients are also tight enough to bring
winds into the Rogue Valley, and model soundings do show a low
level inversion which tends to force winds to funnel through the
terrain. Also of note, SREF plume diagrams show similar winds to
Sunday evening in the Rogue Valley, which you may remember were
quite breezy. We don't think winds will be high enough to warrant
a high wind watch, but they also aren't nothing, so a wind
advisory was issued for the Rogue Valley.

Snow: The low pressure may also affect snowfall in the mountains
with higher amounts near and north of the low and lesser amounts
away from it. Guidance still shows a significant burst of snow
Wednesday afternoon and evening from the Siskiyous north through
the Cascades, and it is these potentially high snowfall rates that
are the main driver of the winter storm watch that was issued.
While overall amounts are not expected to be anything unusual for
November, most of it could come in a short time. The good thing is
that snow levels will be fairly high, 5500 feet or so, and this
keeps snow impacts above I-5 and highway 140 (the two most heavily
traveled mountain routes through our area).

The front moves inland Wednesday night and then east of us
Thursday. At this point, most of us are left with showers of no
particular significance. However, as the upper trough arrives,
colder air moves in, and snow levels lower, precipitation becomes
concentrated over the Cascades. As a result, we could see another
period of heavy snow in the Cascades Thursday afternoon and
evening, and this one may very well affect I-5 and highway 140.
That said, Siskiyou Summit is often blocked from the heaviest snow
in this kind of pattern, but we will probably see at least some
snow down to I-5 Thursday afternoon through night. -Wright

LONG TERM...Fri (11/17) through Mon (11/20)...Models are out of
phase for Friday with the GFS building a short term but large
ridge over the Pacific NW; whereas, the ECMWF has a weak short
wave ridging in NW flow. We've kept rain chance to the coast,
Umpqua Basin and part of Josephine county in a nod to the ECMWF
solution. A similar discrepancy extends into Saturday. As a
result, we have lowered rain chance for Saturday and keep them
mainly from the Cascades west.

The models come into good agreement that a wave of subtropical
moisture will move over us from the southwest during the latter
part of next weekend. If this is correct, it could bring a batch
of hefty precipitation and high snow levels to our area. Ensemble
IVT moisture transport shows a decent amount on Sunday and Monday,
but it also shows a lesser amount of moisture beyond Monday for
most of next week. /FB

&&

.MFR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
OR...High Wind Watch from Wednesday morning through Wednesday evening
     for ORZ030-031.
     Wind Advisory from 7 AM to 4 PM PST Wednesday for ORZ026.
     Winter Storm Watch from Wednesday morning through Wednesday
     evening above 5500 feet in the for ORZ028.
     Winter Storm Watch from Wednesday morning through Wednesday
     evening above 5500 feet in the for ORZ027.

CA...High Wind Watch from Wednesday morning through Wednesday evening
     for CAZ085.
     Winter Storm Watch from late tonight through Wednesday evening
     above 5500 feet in the for CAZ080.
     High Wind Watch from late tonight through Wednesday evening for
     CAZ081.

Pacific Coastal Waters...Gale Warning from 7 PM this evening to 4 PM PST Wednesday for
     PZZ356-376.
     Hazardous Seas Warning until 7 PM PST this evening for
     PZZ350-356-370.
     Gale Warning from 1 PM this afternoon to 4 PM PST Wednesday for
     PZZ350-370.
     Hazardous Seas Warning until 4 PM PST Wednesday for PZZ376.

NSK/TRW/BTL

In the hours before

Local storm report, Nov 14, 10:37 AM PST, 3 hours 32 minutes before
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MEDFORD OR
1037 AM PST TUE NOV 14 2017

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1034 AM     HEAVY RAIN       6 SE SELMA              42.23N 123.52W
11/14/2017  M1.02 INCH       JOSEPHINE          OR   TRAINED SPOTTER

            9AM-9AM. THE DURATION OF THE HEAVY RAIN
            EVENT WAS 24 HOURS.

&&

SBN

The office that day

Everything else NWS Medford, OR issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Nov 14, 3:38 AM PSTHigh Wind WatchMFRKlamath, Lake10 hr
Nov 14, 3:38 AM PSTWind AdvisoryMFRJackson, Klamath, Lake45 hr
Nov 14, 3:54 AM PSTWinter Storm WatchMFRDouglas, Jackson, Josephine, Klamath10 hr
Nov 14, 2:00 PM PSTHigh Wind WarningMFRKlamath, Lake35 hr
Nov 14, 2:07 PM PSTSmall Craft AdvisoryMFR11 hr
Nov 14, 2:09 PM PSTWinter Weather AdvisoryMFRDouglas, Jackson, Josephine, Klamath, Lake65 hr

Nearby

Winter Storm Warnings in Oregon, 2017Every winter storm warning in 2017

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.