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Winter storm delaying travel on Oregon and California mountain passes

Snowy conditions near Crater Lake in the Deschutes National Forest January 9, 2024. Travel along high mountain passes is highly discouraged during the winter storm.
Deschutes National Forest

A winter storm passing through the region is causing closures or delays along higher-elevation highways and roads.

According to the Oregon Department of Transportation, Highway 66 between Ashland and Klamath Falls is closed. Other highways near Crater Lake are also closed, including Highways 230 and 138.

Along I-5, chains are required heading over the Siskiyou Summit south of Ashland. Cars heading northbound will be checked for chains at Yreka, according to Caltrans. ODOT is reporting up to a two-hour delay on I-5, because of chain restrictions.

Chains are also required on cars traveling on I-5 between Redding and Mount Shasta, and on other mountain highways east and west of Redding.

According to the National Weather Service, a winter storm warning is in effect through 4pm on Wednesday across much of the region. Snowfall is expected in areas above 2,000 feet, and could be as high as a foot in some places. Elevations above 4,000 feet could also see up to two feet of snow accumulation.

Travel is highly discouraged, especially on mountain roads, the NWS says. Blowing snow could create whiteout conditions and make travel very difficult. Wind gusts of up to 30 mph are expected along Highway 97 and I-5.

The weather service says if you must drive, carry emergency supplies with you, including tire chains, blankets, food and water.

Conditions are expected to improve as the day continues.

The latest road conditions can be found in Oregon at tripcheck.com, and in California on the Caltrans website.

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Roman Battaglia is a regional reporter for Jefferson Public Radio. After graduating from Oregon State University, Roman came to JPR as part of the Charles Snowden Program for Excellence in Journalism in 2019. He then joined Delaware Public Media as a Report For America fellow before returning to the JPR newsroom.