MEDFORD, Ore. (Feb. 17, 2026) — A late-winter storm delivered widespread snowfall across the Rogue Valley on Tuesday, with some of the highest valley-floor totals concentrated in and around east Medford, according to the National Weather Service.
In the east Medford hills, 5.5 inches of snow was reported by 9:30 a.m. Tuesday. Another 4.5 inches was measured 2.7 miles east of Medford at an elevation of 1,967 feet, while 3.5 inches fell 1.4 miles east of downtown.
Other parts of Medford also saw significant accumulation. Observers reported 5.5 inches 5.1 miles south-southwest of the city at 1,829 feet. Totals of 3 inches were recorded 4.7 miles south-southwest, while 1 inch was measured 4.2 miles west-southwest and 0.5 miles south-southeast.
The snowfall created slick roadways during the morning commute, with heavier bands favoring east-side neighborhoods and higher terrain surrounding the city.
Ashland, Gold Hill and Surrounding Areas
Elsewhere in Jackson County, 8 inches was reported 1 mile south-southeast of Ashland at 2,300 feet. Additional Ashland-area totals included 5.5 inches west-northwest of town and 4.5 inches near downtown. Gold Hill recorded 6.6 inches north-northwest of the city, with 2 inches reported within city limits.
Jacksonville measured between 3.1 and 4.5 inches, while Talent received 4.5 inches. Shady Cove reported between 2.5 and 4 inches, and Eagle Point totals ranged from 1 to 2 inches.
In Josephine County, Grants Pass recorded 3.3 inches southeast of town. Williams saw up to 2.3 inches, and Selma measured 2 inches.
Higher elevations reported substantially greater totals. Crater Lake in Klamath County received 12.5 inches by midmorning at 6,475 feet. In Siskiyou County, California, 11.5 inches was measured south of Greenview, and Fort Jones reported 6 inches.
The weather service noted that snowfall reports are collected from trained volunteer observers, including CO-OP and CoCoRaHS networks, as well as local storm reports. Not all measurements are considered official.
Advisories and Warnings Continue
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory in effect until 10 a.m. Thursday for areas below 2,000 feet in Jackson and Josephine counties, including Medford, Ashland, Phoenix, Eagle Point and Grants Pass. An additional 3 to 6 inches of snow is possible in some lower-elevation areas.
A Winter Storm Warning remains in effect through 10 a.m. Thursday for elevations above 2,000 feet, including higher terrain near Butte Falls and Prospect, where total snowfall could reach 4 to 12 inches.
Forecasters warned that travel could become “very difficult to impossible,” especially on mountain passes and untreated roadways, and urged motorists to carry chains and check conditions before traveling.
The storm ranks among the more impactful valley-floor snow events of the season for Medford, particularly across east-side neighborhoods where accumulations exceeded 5 inches in several locations.
Discover more from Medford Alert News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
