Hanford, California – Up to 9 inches of snow could blanket parts of Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks starting late Friday, making weekend travel potentially treacherous in California’s higher elevations.
According to the National Weather Service in Hanford, a Winter Weather Advisory goes into effect at 11 p.m. Friday and lasts through 11 a.m. Sunday. The advisory covers Yosemite National Park (outside the valley), Sequoia National Park, and surrounding areas including Grant Grove, Shaver Lake, Huntington Lake, and Cedar Grove.
Snow accumulations will be heaviest above 6,000 feet, with blowing snow and gusty winds possibly downing tree branches and reducing visibility. Roads like Highway 180 through Kings Canyon and sections of Highway 198 into Sequoia could become slick or impassable overnight Friday into Saturday.
Drivers heading into the Sierra this weekend should carry chains, avoid non-essential travel, and check road conditions via Caltrans or by calling 511. Campers and backcountry travelers should prepare for rapidly changing weather and cold overnight temperatures.
This late-April snow event isn’t unusual for the region’s higher peaks, but it marks one of the more significant spring snowfalls of the month. Warnings remain in effect through Sunday morning, and more advisories could be issued if conditions worsen.
