A “significant” storm will bring more than 2 feet of snow to high elevation areas of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California early next week.
National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologist Stephen McCoy, who works at the Hanford office, told Newsweek that Hanford doesn’t typically see snowfall totals this high this early in the season.
“This particular storm has quite a bit of moisture associated with it,” he said.
Why It Matters
The incoming winter storm is the first of its kind to hit Central California this season. National Weather Service (NWS) offices have issued winter storm watches ahead of the snowstorm. The watches will go into effect on Monday. Thousands of people are included in the watch area, with the heavy snow expected to make travel hazardous.
What to Know
On Friday, extreme weather chaser Colin McCarthy posted the forecast on X.
“California’s first significant storm of the year is arriving early next week that could end fire season for much of the state and deliver 1-2+ feet of snow along the Sierra Crest above 7,000 feet,” he wrote.
NWS Sacramento and NWS Hanford have issued winter storm watches for the storm. In Hanford, the watch will go into effect on Monday morning. In Sacramento, the watch will go into effect on Monday afternoon. Both alerts remain in place through Wednesday afternoon.
For the Hanford alert, snow levels could drop to 6,500 feet elevation. As much as 24 inches of snow is expected. Impacted areas include Yosemite National Park, Upper San Joaquin River, Kings Canyon National Park, Grant Grove, Florence Lake, and Shaver Lake, among other areas.
“Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will likely become slick and hazardous,” NWS Hanford said in the winter storm watch. “Travel could be very difficult to impossible. The hazardous conditions could impact the Monday evening and Tuesday morning commutes.”
The Sacramento alert said snow is expected above 6,500 feet elevation. The west slope of the northern Sierra Nevada Mountains, including the city of Blue Canyon, will be impacted.
“Total snow accumulations of 2 to 12 inches north of HWY 50, 1 to 2 feet south of HWY 50. Winds gusting up to 35 mph,” the winter storm watch said.
In addition to snow, McCarthy said that as much as 2 inches of rain could fall in lower elevation areas across much of Central and Northern California between Monday and Wednesday, “with isolated thunderstorms and downpours that could trigger localized flash flooding.”
What People Are Saying
NWS Hanford in a winter storm watch: “Persons should delay all travel if possible. If travel is absolutely necessary, drive with caution and be prepared for sudden changes in conditions. Leave plenty of room between you and the motorist ahead of you, and allow extra time to reach your destination. Avoid sudden braking or acceleration, and be especially cautious on hills or when making turns. Make sure your car is winterized and in good working order.”
NWS Sacramento in a winter storm watch: “Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous conditions could impact the Monday evening and Tuesday morning commutes.”
What Happens Next
The winter storm conditions are expected to begin Monday and persist through much of Wednesday. However, NWS Sacramento said the forecast could vary. People should check the forecast regularly as the storm develops.
