May 17, 2019 - The National Weather Service Hanford Office reports a Winter Storm Watch is in effect for the Southern Sierra Nevada from Saturday afternoon through Sunday evening.
Snow levels will start at around 7,000 feet Saturday afternoon, before falling to about 5,500 feet Sunday morning.
The heaviest snowfall is expected Sunday morning.
Motorists should anticipate lengthy delays and slick, hazardous road conditions, as well as the potential for road closures.
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.
Winter Storm Watch
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Hanford CA 418 AM PDT Fri May 17 2019 Central Sierra-North Kings River-Sequoia Kings-Lake Isabella- Including the cities of Devils Postpile, Florence Lake, Lake Thomas Edison, Tuolumne Meadows, Bass Lake, Fish Camp, Wawona, Lake Wishon, Huntington Lake, Shaver Lake, Camp Nelson, Giant Forest, Lodgepole, Cedar Grove, Grant Grove, Hume Lake, Johnsondale, Lake Isabella, and Kernville 418 AM PDT Fri May 17 2019 ...WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH SUNDAY EVENING... The National Weather Service in Hanford has issued a Winter Storm Watch, which is in effect from Saturday afternoon through Sunday evening. * TIMING...Saturday afternoon through Sunday night. * MAIN IMPACT...Up to 18" of snow is forecast to fall over the Southern Sierra Nevada for elevations above 8,000 feet. Elevations 6,000 to 8,000 feet are expected to receive up to 6-12 inches of snow. Conditions will be dangerous to hikers throughout the Sierra Nevada. * OTHER IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. Wind gusts up to 40 mph. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Winter Storm Watch means there is a potential for significant snow, sleet, or ice accumulations that may impact travel. Continue to monitor the latest forecasts.Source: NWS