Hanford, CA – A weak weather system moving across central California this week may bring a touch of winter to the Sierra Nevada. According to the National Weather Service (NWS) Hanford, there is a 30 to 40 percent chance of one inch or more of snow in a 24-hour period between Tuesday and Wednesday.
The NWS forecast maps show the highest snowfall probabilities centered around Tioga Pass, John Muir Wilderness, and Sequoia National Park, where elevations exceed 9,000 feet. Lower elevations, including Yosemite Valley, Shaver Lake, and Visalia, are expected to remain snow-free, with precipitation chances near zero.
Forecasters note that while this system is relatively weak, it marks an early sign of changing seasonal conditions for the Sierra. “Snow will be confined to higher elevations due to snow levels near 9,000 feet,” the NWS Hanford office reported Saturday morning.
Drivers traveling through Tioga Pass or high-mountain routes are advised to monitor forecasts and prepare for possible slick or icy conditions during midweek travel.
