Grant Grove, California – Travelers heading into Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon national parks this weekend should brace for hazardous conditions as up to 9 inches of snow are expected through Sunday morning.
According to the National Weather Service in Hanford, a Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect from 11 p.m. Friday to 11 a.m. Sunday for high-elevation areas including Tuolumne Meadows, Shaver Lake, Giant Forest, and Lake Thomas Edison. Snow will begin late Friday night and intensify into Saturday, making travel “very difficult” across mountain roads.
Snow-covered highways, especially around Cedar Grove, Wawona, and the San Joaquin River Canyon, could become impassable at times. Gusty winds may also knock down tree branches, adding to the hazards for hikers and backcountry campers.
Drivers are urged to delay non-essential travel, carry tire chains, and check Caltrans road updates via 511. Lodgepole and Grant Grove areas may see reduced visibility, and power outages are possible in remote park facilities.
This marks one of the latest significant snowfalls of the season for the southern Sierra, and officials warn that additional weather advisories may follow if conditions worsen. The advisory remains active through 11 a.m. Sunday.
