MOUNTAIN AREA — The National Weather Service in Hanford has issued a Hydrologic Outlook for heavy rainfall and a threat of flooding next week, as new storms impact the Central California interior during the next seven days. There’s also a Winter Storm Warning for snow in the Sierra Nevada above 7,000 feet. Either way, there will be water this week. ...

YOSEMITE — Registration is now open for NatureBridge summer programs for teens in Yosemite and Olympic National Parks. NatureBridge, the largest non-profit educational partner of the National Park Service, leads life-changing backpacking programs for middle and high school students in Yosemite and Olympic National Parks each summer. These one- and two-week programs offer the perfect mix of backpacking, science and ...

YOSEMITE – Yosemite National Park officials have announced that the 2019 preseason lottery for Half Dome permits will be delayed “due to a transition to a new contracted provider.” The preseason lottery for the popular hike typically opens on Mar. 1. No date has yet been determined as to when the lottery will open this year. All hikers are required ...

O’NEALS — As the Sierra Mountain Communities for a Cure gear up to celebrate, remember, and fight back against cancer at the annual Relay for Life on Friday and Saturday Mar. 29 and 30 at Minarets High School, another time-honored event will take place: the Luminaria Ceremony. In this case, a luminaria is a paper lantern that is dedicated to ...

YOSEMITE – A 56-year-old visitor was killed while hiking on a closed trail in Yosemite National Park over the weekend, say park officials. At approximately 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 24, Xuan Wang, from Cupertino, Calif., was hiking on the Mist Trail when she was struck by falling rock and ice. She succumbed to her injuries soon thereafter. The Mist ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — The National Weather Service (NWS) in Hanford has canceled a Winter Storm Warning for the Sierra Nevada and issued a Winter Weather Advisory in its place. The Wind Advisory for the foothills remains in place. Storm Warning canceled, Winter Weather Advisory in place The NWS has replaced the warning with a Winter Weather Advisory for snow, in ...

YOSEMITE — Tuolumne Winter Rangers Laura and Rob Pilewski latest report from the field and they come bearing good news about the snow pack. New snow: 39 inches Total settled snow depth: 92 inches (at 8,600 feet) High temperature: 32°F (February 14) Low temperature: -17°F (February 19) Ski Conditions and Weather This week continued the February weather trend of cold and wet. ...

OAKHURST — There’s a ball field, and there’s a team. Problem is, the team can’t navigate the field. Despite its popularity, our busy local Little League field has inadequate access for about 20 softball players with special needs, say parents — and organizers agree. From walkers to wheelchairs, it’s extremely difficult to get around the facility. Severe disrepair and a lack ...

YOSEMITE – Yosemite National Park officials have announced that due to weather conditions, Highway 120 West (Big Oak Flat Road) is temporarily closed, Highway 41 (Wawona Road) is closed from the south entrance to Wawona, and the Glacier Point Road is closed, as is the Yosemite Ski and Snowboard Area. UPDATE 12:47 p.m. – Highway 41 has reopened. R2 chains ...

MOUNTAIN AREA — It’s cold, wet, and snowy outside in some places and that’s not going to change much over the next two days — except the snow levels will drop again — as the National Weather Service (NWS) in Hanford has issued a Winter Storm Warning for the Sierra Nevada and a Winter Weather Advisory for the foothills. Winter ...