Hanford, CA – A powerful late-season winter storm is set to slam California’s Sierra Nevada by Friday evening, bringing up to 24 inches of snow and wind gusts strong enough to erase visibility and shut down mountain travel within hours.
Road conditions will deteriorate rapidly after 5 p.m. Friday as snow begins piling up above 7,000 feet. By the overnight hours, visibility could drop below a quarter mile, especially along exposed stretches near Tioga Pass, Kaiser Pass Road, and higher elevations surrounding Shaver Lake and Huntington Lake. Blowing snow combined with 55 mph wind gusts will create whiteout conditions capable of disorienting even experienced drivers.
According to the National Weather Service in Hanford, the Winter Storm Warning remains in effect through 11 p.m. Sunday, with widespread totals between 10 and 24 inches expected across Yosemite National Park, Sequoia and Kings Canyon, and parts of Madera and Mariposa counties. Higher peaks and ridgelines could see the most intense snowfall rates late Friday night into Saturday morning.
The storm’s impact stretches beyond snowfall totals. Strong winds may snap tree limbs and trigger localized power outages in mountain communities. Backcountry travel will become especially dangerous, with deep snow and poor visibility increasing the risk of getting stranded or lost.
Officials are urging residents and visitors to avoid mountain travel entirely through the weekend. If travel cannot be postponed, drivers should carry tire chains, pack emergency supplies including food and water, and ensure vehicles are winter-ready. Maintaining extra فاصلة between vehicles and avoiding sudden braking will be critical on icy, snow-covered roads.
Popular destinations such as Yosemite’s high country, Lodgepole, Cedar Grove, and Devils Postpile will likely see hazardous or restricted access as conditions worsen. Campers and hikers should be prepared for rapidly changing weather and limited rescue access during peak storm conditions.
Snowfall will begin tapering late Sunday night, but lingering impacts could extend into early next week as crews work to clear roads and assess damage. Additional advisories remain possible as this system exits and colder air lingers across the region.
