Fresno, CA – A Winter Storm Watch has been issued for the Sierra Nevada from Yosemite National Park to Tulare County, as a powerful early-season storm is forecast to bring heavy snow beginning Monday morning through Wednesday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service in Hanford.
Snow levels are expected to hover around 6,500 to 7,000 feet, with 12 to 24 inches of accumulation possible in higher elevations. Impacted areas include Tuolumne Meadows, Huntington Lake, Grant Grove, Sequoia National Park, and Shaver Lake.
According to the NWS, travel may become very difficult to impossible, especially on mountain roads and passes. Bridges and overpasses could become slick and hazardous, with potential impacts to the Monday evening and Tuesday morning commutes.
Residents and visitors are urged to delay travel if possible. Those who must drive should use extreme caution, ensure vehicles are winter-ready, and prepare for rapidly changing visibility.
This system marks one of the first major snow events of the 2025–26 winter season in California’s Sierra Nevada, potentially impacting recreation areas and early park operations.
For ongoing updates, visit weather.gov/hanford.
