Ashland enjoys the snow!

Locals enjoyed playing in the record-setting snowstorm that left a foot of fresh snow on Ashland streets and hills. Mt. Ashland received 22 inches, but traffic heading toward the Siskiyou Pass was treacherous.

Many decided to make use of the snowfall left in the streets and grassy knolls about town. Lithia Park and other public areas became playgrounds for thrill seekers. Sledding, snowboarding and snowball fights helped many students pass away the day while schools were closed and traffic slowed to a crawl around town.

Video above: Sledders have a fun moment until one plants his face in the snow after a jump.

RECORD SNOW FALLS ON ROGUE VALLEY

By Alan Panebaker and Robert Plain
Ashland Daily Tidings

A record snow fell on the Rogue Valley this morning, burying Ashland in a wet and slippery winter wonderland.

The National Weather Service recorded 4.5 inches of snowfall from this storm at the airport in Medford. 3.5 inches fell after midnight making this the most snow the valley has ever seen on Feb. 22. The storm is the fourth heaviest snow fall that the area has ever had in the month of February. The most snow ever in this month came on Feb. 17, 1956 when 4.4 inches fell on the Rogue Valley. Ashland received a total of 6 inches of snow during the storm, so far.

Lincoln stands tall in the snow at the entrance of Lithia Park. See photos in the Tidings PHOTO GALLERY. Orville Hector | Daily Tidings

“It’s an impressive storm,” said Ryan Sandler, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. “We beat the old record pretty easily.”

Meteorologists anticipated the snow, but they didn’t think quite this much down in the valley, Sandler said.

“We were expecting snow on the valley floor but not in the amounts we got,” he said. “We were a little behind the 8-ball on the valley floor.”

There was a snow advisory for the mountains and the Siskiyou Pass, but the weather service did not implement a heavy snow warning for the valley until after midnight.

Sandler said the temperature and precipitation made a perfect combination to bring a lot of wet and heavy snow down into the valley. He said a mix of snow and rain will continue to fall today and by tomorrow residents should see patches of blue sky again.

“The heavy stuff is done,” he added. “By tomorrow there should be some blue sky.”

The Siskiyou Pass, where Interstate 5 crosses the mountains into California, was closed from 8 p.m. last night until 4 a.m., according to Gary Leaming, of the Oregon Department of Transportation.

“They really got hit hard in northern California,” he said. The Mt. Shasta and Yreka, Calif., areas received more than 20 inches of snow. “We held up traffic for them.

The freeway pass is open now, but there are still chain requirements in effect, meaning motorists who want to cross the pass must have chains on their tires.

“We’re going to keep the chain requirements in effect until the snow subsides,” Leaming said.

While many commuters may be cursing the snow this morning, at the Mt. Ashland Ski Area, where more than 22 inches fell over the past 24 hours, they are praising it.

“It should be a phenomenal day,” said Marketing Director Rick Saul.

As of this morning, the ski area only had enough power to operate lights and base area facilities, but it was poised for a 10 a.m. opening with hopes of opening Ariel Chair at noon.

“We just want to make sure we have reliable power,” Saul added.

Ashland police reported only one car accident over the stormy night. A vehicle skidded out on South Mountain Avenue into Siskiyou Boulevard hitting a utility pole and a small tree.

Deputy Police Chief Rich Walsh said people should avoid driving on the slippery roads, if possible.

“People should remember to take well travelled roads instead of the backroads,” he said. “Don’t travel unless you absolutely have to. When you have weather like this, if you can take part of the day off, do it.”

Ashland Public Works Director Paula Brown said her staff is busy dealing with at least 36 trees and tree limbs that fell during the storm.

“It’s messy,” she said. “That’s going to be the word for the day.”

Public works is also working to plow the roads free of snow. For the city streets at higher elevations, such as the top of Morton Street, Ridgeway and Park Street, may take longer to get to, she said. Residents there are advised to be patient.

Staff writer Robert Plain can be reached at 482-3456 x. 226 or bplain@dailytidings.com.