Hanford, CA – A powerful winter system is expected to impact the Sierra Nevada late this week, bringing the potential for a foot or more of snow from Thursday night into Friday morning, according to the National Weather Service in Hanford.
Forecasters say the strongest snowfall probabilities — 60% to 75% — are centered near Yosemite Valley, Tioga Pass, and Sequoia National Park, where elevations above 7,000 feet could see over 12 inches of accumulation by early Friday, November 14. Areas including China Peak, Lake Thomas Edison, and Camp Nelson are also likely to experience heavy snow.
The weather system could significantly impact mountain travel, with chain requirements and difficult driving conditions possible along Highway 168 and other Sierra passes. Lower-elevation areas, including Fresno, Visalia, and Bakersfield, are not expected to see snow but may experience cooler, unsettled weather.
Residents planning to travel through the Sierra late this week are advised to monitor forecasts closely, prepare for delays, and carry winter emergency supplies.
