December 21, 2021 6:30 a.m.

A Winter Storm Watch is in effect from midday Friday through Monday morning above 1,500 feet.

The Watch areas includes much of Douglas County along with Josephine and Jackson counties and eastern Curry County including the Glendale, Steamboat and Toketee Falls areas.

Forecasters at the National Weather Service said periods of moderate to heavy snowfall is possible. Total snow accumulations of several inches at lower levels to as much as a few feet near the 3,500-foot elevation is possible.

This includes portions of Interstate 5 between Grants Pass and Tri-City, Tiller Highway from near Tiller to Shady Cove, and Highway 138 east of Roseburg.

Forecasters said travel could be difficult to impossible at times. Snow levels on Christmas Eve are likely to be between 1,500 and 2,500 feet. Cold low pressure moving through the area between Christmas Eve and Christmas Day is likely to lead to locally intense showers resulting in accumulations, at times. Additional waves of low pressure and a cooling air mass are then likely to bring additional periods of snow on Sunday and Monday, possibly down to the 500 to 1,000-foot elevations at times.

Forecasters said residents should plan now to avoid traveling during the storm.

Stay with News Radio 1240 KQEN and check www.541radio.com for updates on this weather situation.