If you’ve ever driven the I-5 corridor during the winter, you know the Siskiyou Summit is a beast. It’s the highest point on the entire interstate, sitting at 4,310 feet, and it basically makes its own rules. Honestly, one minute you’re enjoying a crisp drive through the Rogue Valley, and the next, you’re staring at a wall of white.
Getting the siskiyou pass oregon weather 10 day forecast right isn't just about knowing if you need a coat—it’s about not getting stuck at the border for six hours because the pass is closed.
Right now, as of Saturday, January 17, 2026, things are looking surprisingly calm for mid-winter. But don't let that fool you. The mountains are moody. Currently, it’s a chilly 34°F at the summit with clear skies, but the "feels like" temp is hovering around 30°F thanks to a light 5 mph breeze from the south.
The Immediate Outlook: Sunny Days and Cold Nights
For the next few days, we’re looking at a bit of a "false spring" vibe. It’s that weird January weather where the sun is out, but the air still bites.
Today, Saturday, we’re hitting a high of 51°F. That’s actually pretty pleasant for the summit. Tonight, it stays around 34°F with some clouds rolling in. Tomorrow, Sunday, is looking even better—high of 53°F and plenty of sun. If you’re planning to haul a trailer or just hate driving in the snow, this weekend is your golden window.
Monday and Tuesday keep that trend going. We’re seeing highs of 53°F and 52°F, respectively. Lows are staying right at the freezing mark (32°F).
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Watch Out for the Inversion
Here is what most people get wrong about "clear" winter weather at the pass. Even when the sky is blue, we have an Air Stagnation Advisory in effect until Tuesday morning. This basically means the air is stuck. Pollutants get trapped, and more importantly for drivers, we get Freezing Fog.
The National Weather Service in Medford has been sounding the alarm on this. Visibility can drop to less than a quarter-mile in a heartbeat. If you’re hitting the pass in the early morning or late night, that sunny forecast won't save you from a wall of gray mist that turns into ice on your windshield.
The Mid-Week Shift: Clouds and Cooling
By Wednesday, January 21, the pattern starts to wobble. We’re still looking at a high of 52°F, but it’ll be mostly cloudy. The wind is almost non-existent—basically a 1 mph puff from the south.
Thursday starts a cooling trend. The high drops to 49°F, and the low dips to 30°F. It’s still dry, but you can feel the atmosphere shifting. Friday, January 23, brings us down to 45°F.
- Saturday, Jan 17: 51°F / 34°F (Sunny then Cloudy)
- Sunday, Jan 18: 53°F / 32°F (Clear and Sunny)
- Monday, Jan 19: 53°F / 32°F (Sunny)
- Tuesday, Jan 20: 52°F / 32°F (Sunny/Cloudy)
- Wednesday, Jan 21: 52°F / 32°F (Cloudy)
The 10-Day Turning Point: Snow is Peeking In
If you’re looking toward the end of next weekend, that’s when the siskiyou pass oregon weather 10 day forecast gets interesting. Saturday, January 24, is currently showing a 20% chance of light snow during the day, switching to snow showers at night. The high will be 48°F, but with the sun gone, that 33°F low is going to make things slick.
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Sunday, January 25, brings a mix of rain and snow. We’re looking at another 20% chance of snow accumulation. It’s not a "Snowpocalypse" yet, but it’s enough to trigger chain requirements if the pavement temp drops fast enough.
By Monday, January 26, it stays cloudy with a 25% chance of rain at night and a high of 50°F.
Real Talk on Chain Requirements
ODOT (Oregon Department of Transportation) doesn't play around at the summit. Right now, even with the sun out, the rule is usually "Carry Chains or Traction Tires."
If you’re in a light-duty vehicle (your typical car or SUV), you can use traction tires (they’ll have the mountain/snowflake symbol) instead of chains, provided you aren't towing. But honestly? Just carry the chains. If the weather flips on Sunday or Monday, and the "Minimum Chain Requirement" light starts flashing, you’re not getting past the gate without them.
Truckers have even stricter rules. If you're over 26,000 lbs, you’re chaining up the drive axles and the trailer.
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Travel Strategy for the Week
Basically, if you have the choice, move your trip to this weekend or early next week. The conditions are as good as they get for January.
- Check TripCheck before you leave Ashland or Yreka. The cameras at the summit (Milepost 1) are the only way to see what’s actually happening.
- Top off your fluids. Between the road salt and the freezing fog, you’ll burn through a gallon of washer fluid faster than you think.
- Watch the thermometer. When that digital readout in your car hits 36°F, the bridges on the pass are already freezing.
Don't trust the valley weather. Medford might be 55°F and raining, while the pass is 28°F and dumping snow. It’s a 2,000-foot climb in a very short distance. That elevation change is everything.
Stay safe out there, keep your lights on in the fog, and give the plows plenty of room to work if those snow showers actually show up next Saturday.
Next Steps for Your Trip:
Download the Oregon 511 app for real-time alerts on the Siskiyou Summit and verify your chain sizes before you hit the ascent. If you're heading south, remember that California's R-2 chain requirements are often triggered simultaneously with Oregon's alerts.