Yosemite National Park, California – Winter conditions are expected to regain strength across the Yosemite region beginning Tuesday, February 10, as the 8–14 day outlook points to increasing precipitation and temperatures returning closer to seasonal norms through Monday, February 16. The pattern raises renewed concerns for accumulating snow and difficult travel in the high country.
According to the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center, near- to above-average precipitation is favored across central and northern California during the February 10–16 period. At the same time, temperatures in the Sierra Nevada are projected to settle near typical mid-February levels, keeping daytime highs cold and nighttime lows well below freezing at higher elevations.
This setup favors multiple rounds of snow rather than one single storm. The greatest impacts are expected above 6,000 feet, including Tioga Pass, Tuolumne Meadows, and higher elevations along Highway 120 and Highway 41. Yosemite Valley may also see periods of snow, especially during overnight and early morning hours when colder air is most entrenched.
Travel through and around the park could become hazardous at times, with chain controls, reduced visibility, and slick road surfaces possible. Caltrans and National Park Service crews may need to respond repeatedly if snow showers develop in waves, increasing the risk for temporary closures on mountain routes.
Visitors and residents are advised to closely monitor road conditions, carry tire chains, and prepare for rapidly changing weather. With the colder, wetter pattern expected to persist through Monday, February 16, additional winter weather advisories or travel restrictions may be issued as the outlook window approaches and confidence increases.
