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California Weather Alert: Yosemite, Sequoia Face 11 Inches of Snow Halloween Night
Fresno, CA – A significant early season snowfall could make travel difficult across California's Sierra Nevada this Halloween weekend, with up to 11 inches of snow possible at the highest elevations o
By Marcus Hale · 2026-10-30T03:42:08.874Z
Fresno, CA – A significant early season snowfall could make travel difficult across California's Sierra Nevada this Halloween weekend, with up to 11 inches of snow possible at the highest elevations of Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks.
According to the National Weather Service in Hanford, a Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect from 8 a.m. Saturday, October 31, until 7 a.m. Sunday, November 1, covering several mountainous areas of central California.
Forecasters expect 4 to 7 inches of snow between elevations of 7,500 and 9,500 feet, while locations above 9,500 feet could receive up to 11 inches.
The advisory includes Yosemite National Park outside Yosemite Valley, Kings Canyon National Park, Sequoia National Park, the Upper San Joaquin River region and the Kaiser to Rodgers Ridge area.
Communities and destinations within the advisory area include Shaver Lake, Huntington Lake, Wawona, Tuolumne Meadows, Lodgepole, Giant Forest, Cedar Grove and Devils Postpile.
The National Weather Service warns that travel could become very difficult as accumulating snow affects higher elevation roads and mountain routes.
Visitors planning Halloween weekend trips into the Sierra Nevada should prepare for potentially hazardous driving conditions, particularly in areas where snow accumulates on roadways.
The advisory begins Saturday morning and continues overnight into Sunday, when clocks return to Pacific Standard Time.
Drivers are encouraged to slow down, allow additional travel time and monitor updated road conditions before entering affected mountain areas.
Travelers can check California highway conditions through Caltrans QuickMap or call 511 for road information.
While the greatest snowfall totals are forecast above 9,500 feet, the broader advisory highlights the potential for winter driving hazards across some of California's most popular mountain destinations.