Hanford, CA – A cold Pacific storm will bring light snow to the Central and Southern Sierra Nevada this week, with accumulations expected at higher elevations near Yosemite National Park.
According to the National Weather Service in Hanford, the system will arrive Thursday, Oct. 2, moving across the region into Thursday night. The storm is expected to drop enough snow to cover the ground at Tioga Pass, located at nearly 10,000 feet on Highway 120 at Yosemite’s eastern entrance.
While forecasters say overall snowfall totals will remain limited, travelers should anticipate possible slick conditions and reduced visibility at high elevations. Areas west of the park, including Big Oak Entrance and Crane Flat, are not expected to receive snow. Accumulations will be confined to the highest elevations, with the NWS forecasting around one inch at Tioga Pass between Wednesday morning and Saturday morning.
The weather service advises motorists to check conditions before heading into Yosemite or crossing the Sierra Nevada. Drivers are reminded that early-season storms can bring sudden winter-like travel impacts, even if snow totals are low.
This week’s system marks one of the first snowfall events of the fall season for Yosemite’s high country, signaling the approach of colder weather in the Sierra Nevada.
