NWS Posts Winter Storm Warning and Winter Weather Advisory for SW Oregon Region
Round Two of a surprisingly strong series of winter storms is hitting Southern Oregon and Northern California. The National Weather Service has posted a Winter Storm Warning for the region that is in effect until 7 a.m. Thursday and a Winter Weather Advisory for the area that is in effect until 10 a.m. tomorrow. For the Winter Storm Warning, heavy snow is expected with accumulations of 5 to 12 inches above 1,500 feet and up to 18 inches over the highest elevations. This includes Highways 199, 238 and Interstate 5. For the Winter Weather Advisory, snow is expected in local valleys with accumulations between 1 and 4 inches. All schools in Southern Oregon from Glendale to the California border are closed for a second straight day due to the winter storm. All state offices in Josephine and Jackson counties -- including courts -- are also closed today. Travel could be very difficult to impossible at times. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning and evening commutes. If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. For updated road information in Oregon, visit "tripcheck.com." For updated road information in California, visit "quickmap.dot.ca.gov."
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Pacific Power Crews Making Progress on Weather-Related Electrical Outages
Pacific Power crews continue to respond to widespread storm-related outages across its Southern Oregon and Northern California service areas. Snow accumulation and continued winter weather has resulted in hazardous conditions impacting repair and restoration times, but repair crews are making progress by restoring electricity to thousands of customers. More than 300 field crews and other personnel are involved in the restoration efforts, working around the clock to make repairs. Tom Eide, Pacific Power's vice president of operations, said their crews are working through three feet of snow in some areas, with downed trees blocking roads. He said they thank their customers for their patience and understanding as they continue to work in these difficult conditions. Pacific Power encourages customers to report outages by calling 1-(877)-508-5088 or by texting OUT to 722797. Text STAT to 722797 to check the status of your outage. Visit "pacificpower.net/outages" for a map showing current restoration estimates
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35th Annual Ross Roe Memorial Youth Tree Plant Slated for Thursday-Saturday
UPDATE: JOSEPHINE COUNTY HAS CANCELLED THIS EVENT DUE TO SNOWY WEATHER. THE NEXT YOUTH TREE PLANT IS SCHEDULED FOR FEBRUARY 5-7, 2026
Weather permitting, more than 1,000 children are scheduled to take part in the 35th Annual Ross Roe Memorial Youth Tree Plant over the next three days. Organized by the Josephine County Forestry Department, the plant is a three-day event just inside the southwest city limits of Grants Pass. This is the only continuous youth tree plant in the state of Oregon. About 4,000 trees will be planted during this year's event, mostly pine trees along with some Douglas firs. Children from local schools, scout groups, 4-H clubs and other groups from Josephine and Jackson counties participate in this event every year. More than 100,000 trees have been planted by 23,000 area children since 1990. The annual tree plant was renamed to honor Ross Roe after his death in 2019 at the age of 91. Roe was a Grants Pass businessman who was instrumental in the creation of the event 35 years ago.
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