Baby, It's About To Get Cold Outside

OAKHURST – The National Weather Service is reporting that a winter storm currently moving through the Pacific Northwest and northern Rockies will extend its frigid reach to our humble hamlets, bringing a 30% chance of showers Monday, Dec. 2, after 11 p.m. with increasing clouds throughout the night for a rain-showered high on Tuesday near 46, with some wind. Nighttime temps will drop into the low twenties.

Tuesday night’s low is expected to be around 22 degrees and while some rain showers are anticipated during the day on Tuesday, they are not predicted with any certainty during the coldest hours. Wednesday and Thursday should be mostly sunny, but cold. An earlier prediction of more rain this week seemed to have petered out as the storm moved closer, though forecasts now show a 30% chance of snow showers on Friday into Saturday.

It’s going to be cold and wet, but not too windy in the local townships around 3,000-plus feet.

There’s another story being told for the higher elevations, though, and the national reporting service suggests it may be time to batten down the hatches for real weather in the mountains.

A wind advisory is now in effect above 7,000 feet for the southern Sierra Nevada from Yosemite to Kings Canyon, until at least 10 a.m. PST Tuesday, Dec. 3.

Our Hanford weather station is predicting northwest winds of 25 to 35 MPH with gusts of 40 to 50 MPH, and gusts of up to 60 MPH possible along ridge tops, and through and below canyons.

Strong winds are said to start blowing the evening of Monday, Dec. 2, increasing in strength as they continue throughout the night. Specific locations for wind hazards include Tuolomne Meadows, Tenaya Lake and Florence Lake.

This news is expected to adversely impact travel in the southern Sierra Nevada, with isolated tree damage and debris likely. Dangerous conditions may exist for recreational activities in the southern Sierra.

The National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory with gusts of 45 MPH or more, and reminds drivers to use extra caution as strong winds can make driving difficult especially for high-profile vehicles.

See local weather information here.