MEDFORD, Ore. (Feb. 11, 2026) — A series of winter systems is expected to bring snow, moderate to heavy rain and gusty winds to southern Oregon and northern California beginning this weekend and continuing into the middle of next week, forecasters said.
The most significant impacts are expected across northern California, where higher elevations could see light to moderate snowfall as early as this weekend. Snow levels are forecast to hover around 4,000 to 5,000 feet initially, with accumulations likely in the Mount Shasta area, the Trinity Alps, Marble Mountains and the Warner Mountains. Lighter snowfall is expected across the Siskiyous and Cascades.
Rain is expected to begin as early as Friday night, spreading from west to east through the weekend. The heaviest rainfall is anticipated along and near the coast. While widespread flooding is not currently expected, officials warned that ponding on roadways could create hazardous travel conditions.
Breezy to gusty winds are also forecast this weekend, with wind advisories possible for northern California and areas east of the Cascades. Overall, impacts this weekend are expected to be minor to moderate.
Forecasters said a stronger and deeper upper-level trough is projected to develop over the region, though the system has slowed compared to earlier projections. As a result, the colder air mass is now expected to arrive later than previously forecast.
The unsettled pattern is expected to persist into next week as multiple upper-level troughs move through the region. Continued cold air advection will gradually lower snow levels each day. By Tuesday and Wednesday, snow levels could drop to around 2,000 feet.
There is currently a 40% to 75% probability that snow levels will fall below 2,500 feet Tuesday, and a 20% to 30% chance they could dip below 1,500 feet. Tuesday also carries a 10% chance of light valley floor snow accumulations ranging from a trace to one-half inch.
Moderate to heavy snowfall is expected at elevations above 4,000 feet next week, with increasing impacts possible for mountain passes, including some lower-elevation passes in Oregon as snow levels fall.
Rain will continue across much of the west side through the middle of next week. Although widespread flooding is not anticipated, back-to-back rainfall events could prompt a reassessment of flood risk if precipitation totals increase. Rain falling on existing snowpack, particularly around the Mount Shasta area, could also become a concern.
Wind threats are expected to increase slightly next week, with breezy to gusty conditions possible across northern California, the east side and portions of the west side.
Forecasters cautioned that uncertainty remains due to the split-flow weather pattern, which can be difficult to model. The forecast could change significantly if a low-pressure system cuts off and lingers over the Pacific.
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