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Farewell, balmy October
details on the closure of the park
November 04, 2008
Farewell, balmy October
By Bill Kettler
Mail Tribune
October was too sweet to last.
Fall's first big storm blew into Southern Oregon Monday, stripping trees of their brilliant fall foliage and bringing snow to Crater Lake National Park. Forecasters were expecting snow levels to fall as low as 4,000 feet early today, which could make for exciting driving on Interstate 5 over the Siskiyous.
Monday's weather was a stark contrast to October, which ended Friday just the way it started — warm and dry. The 10th month of 2008 was notable for mild days and sparse rain. Just .4 inch of rain fell for the month, .91 inch below the normal monthly average of 1.31 inches.
Temperatures for the month were only slightly above normal averages, but the absence of rain or even clouds made the days feel warmer than they actually were. There were 19 clear days, and just nine with partly cloudy skies. Starting on Oct. 14, temperatures were above normal on all but two days for the remainder of the month. After the 21st, every day's high temperature was in the 70s or 80s.
Nearly all the rain that did fall during the month was concentrated during the first 10 days. Coupled with an even drier September, in which just .01 inch of rain fell at the Medford airport, Medford's precipitation for the calendar year is now 3.95 inches below normal.
October is a transitional month in Southern Oregon's climate cycle, and precipitation varies considerably from one year to the next. Dry Octobers are not uncommon. In five of the past seven years, less than 1 inch of rain fell at the Medford airport.
If past predicts future, October's dry days could signal plenty of rain in November and December. In each of the most recent years with a dry October, at least 8 inches of rain fell during the next 60 days. In 2002 there were 10 inches of rain in November and December, and in 2005 13 inches of moisture fell at the Medford airport between Halloween and New Year's Day.
The National Weather Service's outlook for the winter of 2008-09 calls for near-average precipitation in Southern Oregon, without the strong influence of either El Niño or La Niña. Forecasters were expecting temperatures to be near normal averages during October, November and December, and slightly above normal in Southern Oregon during January, February and March.
Monday's storm brought a dusting of snow to the Mount Ashland ski area and prompted Crater Lake National Park managers to close the park's north entrance and the rim drive around the perimeter of the lake.
The park has shifted to winter hours at the visitor information center as well as the rim cafe and gift shop. The visitors center in Munson Valley at park headquarters will now be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The cafe and gift shop will be open from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Ranger-guided snowshoe hikes will begin late in November when adequate snow has accumulated. For information about road and weather conditions at the park, call the headquarters at 594-3000.