Cold Weather, Feb. 8

NWS alert – Another cold storm system will drop southward along the coast with a cold front expected to move through from northwest to southeast Saturday. Current data show a colder, stronger storm than the previous one earlier in the week, so snow levels should start lower and precipitation amounts should be higher. Snow levels could drop to west side valleys floors Saturday and perhaps even to sea level once again as a cold air mass follows the front Saturday night into Sunday. Our highest confidence is in accumulating snow above 2000 feet, and confidence is increasing in at least some accumulating snow down to the west side valley floors of Jackson County late Saturday afternoon through early Sunday morning. Confidence in accumulating snow is lower for elevations lower than 1000 feet, but as we saw with the last winter event, the snow level can vary greatly across a short distance. This is very dependent on timing, amount and intensity of precipitation. For this reason, ALL AREAS should be prepared for wintry weather and potential hazardous driving conditions Saturday night into Sunday morning.  In the meantime, a weaker system could bring a chance for minor snow accumulation tonight into Friday morning.