March 26, 2019 - The National Weather Service Hanford Office reports a Winter Storm Warning is in effect for the Southern Sierra Nevada form Yosemite to Kings Canyon above 7,000 feet from 11:00 P.M.Tuesday until 5:00 A.M. Thursday.
A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for the Southern Sierra Nevada in Tulare County above 7,000 feet from 5:00 A.M. Wednesday until 5;00 A.M. Thursday.
The heaviest snowfall is expected Wednesday.
Motorists should anticipate lengthy delays and slick, hazardous road conditions, as well as the potential for road closures above 7,000 feet.
If you plan to travel, consider alternate strategies.
If you must travel, remember to carry tire chains, plenty of food, a good deal of water, and warm clothing in your vehicle.
For information on road conditions, including closures or delays, call Caltrans at 1-800-427-7623 or visit http://www.dot.ca.gov/cgi-bin/roads.cgi.
NWS Discussion...
Energy rounding the upper low will dig it a little farther south later today and bring some significant precipitation to central California tonight through Wednesday night, mainly north of Kern County. The timing has slowed a bit but precip should be on the increase this evening with the bulk of the event still focused on Wednesday morning through evening. Have therefore pushed back the starting time for the Winter Storm Warning for the Sierra Nevada from Yosemite to Kings Canyon above 7000 feet until 11 PM Tuesday. We are still expecting 1-2 feet of snowfall above 7000 feet with localized amounts up to 3 feet near the crest. The starting time for the Winter Weather Advisory for the Tulare County Mountains above 7000 feet has been pushed back until 5 AM Wednesday, where 6-12 inches of snowfall is likely. The snow level will lower to near 5000 feet as the system winds down Thursday morning. We could see up to 6 inches snowfall down to 6000 feet and maybe an inch or two around 5000 feet. Rainfall amounts in the Sierra and foothills could be as much as 2 inches from Mariposa to Fresno County with a quarter-inch to 1 inch in Tulare County.
Winter Storm Warning
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Hanford CA 215 AM PDT Tue Mar 26 2019 Sierra Nevada from Yosemite to Kings Canyon- 215 AM PDT Tue Mar 26 2019 ...WINTER STORM WARNING NOW IN EFFECT FROM 11 PM THIS EVENING TO 5 AM PDT THURSDAY ABOVE 7000 FEET... * WHAT...Heavy snow expected above 7000 feet. Total snow accumulations of one to two feet likely. Localized snow amounts of around three feet possible along the crest. Winds could gust as high as 65 mph on exposed ridgetops and near the crest. * WHERE...Sierra Nevada from Yosemite to Kings Canyon above 7000 feet. * WHEN...From 11 PM this evening to 5 AM PDT Thursday. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Travel could be extremely difficult or impossible. Gusty winds may bring down tree branches. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning or evening commute. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Winter Storm Warning for snow means severe winter weather conditions will make travel exceptionally hazardous or impossible. If you plan to travel, consider alternate strategies. If you must travel, remember to carry tire chains, plenty of food, a good deal of water, and warm clothing in your vehicle. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1.
Source: NWS