MADERA COUNTY – The first significant weather system of the season will impact the region Friday afternoon, Oct. 31, through Saturday afternoon, Nov. 1. A Winter Storm Watch is now in effect for the southern Sierra Nevada above 6,000 feet.
The National Weather Service says snow accumulations from this storm will range from just a few inches in the higher elevations of the Tulare County mountains, to 10 inches above 7,000 feet from Yosemite National Park to Kings Canyon.
The storm will also produce brisk winds gusting to 55 mph through the Kern County mountain passes Saturday. A wetting rain is probable in the San Joaquin Valley while a soaking rain is expected in the foothills. Since this will be the first significant rain in many months, motorists should anticipate slippery roads Friday evening and night.
