Alert archive / California / Winter Storm Warnings in 2021

Winter Storm Warning 9, NWS Medford, OR

March 17, 2021Siskiyou County, California

NWS Medford, OR issued this winter storm warning at Mar 17, 2021, 11:52 AM PDT for Siskiyou County, California. It took effect at Mar 18, 2021, 5:00 AM PDT. It was in force for 8 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
Mar 17, 2021, 11:52 AM PDT (18:52 UTC)
In effect from
Mar 18, 2021, 5:00 AM PDT
Expired
Mar 18, 2021, 12:44 PM PDT
In force
8 hr
Issued by
NWS Medford, OR

County Siskiyou County, CA

The radar

The Medford radar (KMAX), 56 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 18:50 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, 6.9 hours before the alert went out and 89 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 2021-03-17Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Medford/Jackson, OR at 12:00Z on 2021-03-17The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 51 square meters per square second.19395878Sfc1 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
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
974 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
28 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
51 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
55 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

953 
WWUS46 KMFR 171852
WSWMFR

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Medford OR
1152 AM PDT Wed Mar 17 2021

CAZ082-083-181200-
/O.UPG.KMFR.WS.A.0006.210318T1200Z-210319T0600Z/
/O.NEW.KMFR.WW.Y.0025.210318T1200Z-210319T0600Z/
/O.NEW.KMFR.WS.W.0009.210318T1200Z-210319T0600Z/
South Central Siskiyou County-
North Central and Southeast Siskiyou County-
Including the city of Mount Shasta
1152 AM PDT Wed Mar 17 2021

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 5 AM TO 11 PM PDT THURSDAY
ABOVE 4000 FEET...
...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 5 AM TO 11 PM PDT
THURSDAY ABOVE 3500 FEET...

* WHAT...For the Winter Storm Warning above 4000 feet, heavy wet
  snow expected. Total snow accumulations 6 to 8 inches. Winds 
  gusting as high as 50 to 60 mph. For the Winter Weather Advisory
  above 3500 feet, wet snow expected. Total snow accumulations of
  2 to 6 inches. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph.

* WHERE...For the Winter Storm Warning, portions of Highway 89,
  including Snowmans Summit, and the Mt Shasta Ski Road. For the
  Winter Weather Advisory, portions of Interstate 5, including
  Black Butte Summit and Mt Shasta City.

* WHEN...From 5 AM to 11 PM PDT Thursday.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous 
  conditions could impact the morning or evening commute. Strong 
  winds could cause tree damage and possible power outages.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Snow levels will start around 3500 ft in
  the early morning when precipitation first begins. Snow levels
  are expected to rise some during the day and a rain/snow mix is
  expected for the Mt Shasta City area during the daylight hours.
  Snow levels fall again after sunset, but precipitation will 
  become more showery and less intense. 

* View the hazard area in detail at 
  https://www.wrh.noaa.gov/mfr/HAZARD

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.

&&

$$

CAZ080-181200-
/O.NEW.KMFR.WW.Y.0025.210318T1200Z-210319T0600Z/
Western Siskiyou County-
1152 AM PDT Wed Mar 17 2021

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 5 AM TO 11 PM PDT
THURSDAY ABOVE 4500 FEET...

* WHAT...Snow expected above 4500 feet. Total snow accumulations
  of 4 to 6 inches, with up to 8 inches expected in the highest
  terrain. Winds gusting as high as 50 to 60 mph.

* WHERE...Higher terrain of western Siskiyou County, Sawyers Bar
  Road, including Etna Summit, and State Rt 3, including Scott Mt
  Summit.

* WHEN...From 5 AM to 11 PM PDT Thursday.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous 
  conditions could impact the morning or evening commute. Gusty 
  winds could bring down tree branches.

* View the hazard area in detail at 
  https://www.wrh.noaa.gov/mfr/HAZARD

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

* Slow down and allow extra time to reach your destination.

* Carry tire chains and be prepared for snow covered roads and 
  limited visibilities.

* See http://quickmap.dot.ca.gov for latest road conditions.

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

&&

$$

Visit us at https://www.weather.gov/Medford
2 follow-up statements
219 
WWUS46 KMFR 181200
WSWMFR

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Medford OR
500 AM PDT Thu Mar 18 2021

CAZ082-083-182200-
/O.CON.KMFR.WS.W.0009.000000T0000Z-210319T0600Z/
/O.CON.KMFR.WW.Y.0025.000000T0000Z-210319T0600Z/
South Central Siskiyou County-
North Central and Southeast Siskiyou County-
Including the city of Mount Shasta
500 AM PDT Thu Mar 18 2021

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM PDT THIS
EVENING ABOVE 4000 FEET...
...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM PDT THIS
EVENING ABOVE 3500 FEET...

* WHAT...For the Winter Storm Warning above 4000 feet, heavy wet 
  snow expected. Total snow accumulations 6 to 8 inches. Winds 
  gusting as high as 50 to 60 mph. For the Winter Weather 
  Advisory above 3500 feet, wet snow expected. Total snow 
  accumulations of 2 to 6 inches. Winds gusting as high as 40 
  mph.

* WHERE...For the Winter Storm Warning, portions of Highway 89, 
  including Snowmans Summit, and the Mt Shasta Ski Road. For the 
  Winter Weather Advisory, portions of Interstate 5, including 
  Black Butte Summit and Mt Shasta City.

* WHEN...Until 11 PM PDT.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous 
  conditions could impact the morning or evening commute. Strong 
  winds could cause tree damage and possible power outages.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Snow levels will start around 3500 ft in 
  the early morning when precipitation first begins. Snow levels 
  are expected to rise some during the day and a rain/snow mix 
  is expected for the Mt Shasta City area during the daylight 
  hours. Snow levels fall again after sunset, but precipitation 
  will become more showery and less intense.

* View the hazard area in detail at 
  https://www.wrh.noaa.gov/map/?wfo=mfr

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.

&&

$$

CAZ080-182200-
/O.CON.KMFR.WW.Y.0025.000000T0000Z-210319T0600Z/
Western Siskiyou County-
500 AM PDT Thu Mar 18 2021

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM PDT THIS
EVENING ABOVE 4500 FEET...

* WHAT...Snow expected above 4500 feet. Total snow accumulations 
  of 4 to 6 inches, with up to 8 inches expected in the highest 
  terrain. Winds gusting as high as 50 to 60 mph.

* WHERE...Higher terrain of western Siskiyou County, Sawyers Bar 
  Road, including Etna Summit, and State Rt 3, including Scott 
  Mt Summit.

* WHEN...Until 11 PM PDT.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous 
  conditions could impact the morning or evening commute. Gusty 
  winds could bring down tree branches.

* View the hazard area in detail at 
  https://www.wrh.noaa.gov/map/?wfo=mfr

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

* Slow down and allow extra time to reach your destination.

* Carry tire chains and be prepared for snow covered roads and 
  limited visibilities.

* See http://quickmap.dot.ca.gov for latest road conditions.

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

&&

$$

Visit us at https://www.weather.gov/Medford
506 
WWUS46 KMFR 181944
WSWMFR

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Medford OR
1244 PM PDT Thu Mar 18 2021

CAZ082-083-190600-
/O.CAN.KMFR.WS.W.0009.000000T0000Z-210319T0600Z/
/O.CON.KMFR.WW.Y.0025.000000T0000Z-210319T0600Z/
South Central Siskiyou County-
North Central and Southeast Siskiyou County-
1244 PM PDT Thu Mar 18 2021

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM PDT THIS
EVENING ABOVE 4000 FEET...
...WINTER STORM WARNING IS CANCELLED...

* WHAT...Wet snow above 4000 feet. Additional snow accumulations
  of 3 to 6 inches. Winds gusting as high as 50 mph.

* WHERE...In south central Siskiyou County, portions of Highway 
  89, including Snowmans Summit, and the Mt Shasta Ski Road.

* WHEN...Until 11 PM PDT this evening.

* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous 
  conditions could impact the evening commute.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Brief periods of a rain and snow mix down
  to 3500 ft are possible through this evening.

* View the hazard area in detail at 
  https://www.wrh.noaa.gov/map/?wfo=mfr

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

* Slow down and allow extra time to reach your destination.

* Carry tire chains and be prepared for snow covered roads and 
  limited visibilities.

* See http://quickmap.dot.ca.gov for latest road conditions.

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

&&

$$

CAZ080-190600-
/O.CON.KMFR.WW.Y.0025.000000T0000Z-210319T0600Z/
Western Siskiyou County-
1244 PM PDT Thu Mar 18 2021

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM PDT THIS
EVENING ABOVE 4500 FEET...

* WHAT...Wet snow above 4500 feet. Additional snow accumulations
  of 3 to 5 inches. Winds gusting as high as 50 mph.

* WHERE...Higher terrain of western Siskiyou County, Sawyers Bar 
  Road, including Etna Summit, and State Rt 3, including Scott 
  Mt Summit.

* WHEN...Until 11 PM PDT this evening.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous 
  conditions could impact the evening commute. Gusty winds could 
  bring down tree branches.

* View the hazard area in detail at 
  https://www.wrh.noaa.gov/map/?wfo=mfr

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

* Slow down and allow extra time to reach your destination.

* Carry tire chains and be prepared for snow covered roads and 
  limited visibilities.

* See http://quickmap.dot.ca.gov for latest road conditions.

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

&&

$$

Visit us at https://www.weather.gov/Medford

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Mar 17, 3:22 AM PDTWind AdvisoryMFRModoc, Siskiyou44 hr
Mar 17, 3:48 AM PDTWinter Storm WatchMFRSiskiyou8 hr
Mar 17, 11:52 AM PDTWinter Weather AdvisoryMFRSiskiyou35 hr

Nearby

Winter Storm Warnings in California, 2021Every winter storm warning in 2021

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.