MOUNTAIN AREA — With a beautifully warm and sunny weekend behind us and tax day upon us, cooler temperatures return as a disturbance moves into the region bringing increased wind and precipitation across central California Monday, Apr. 15 into Tuesday, Apr. 16. Dry conditions return Wednesday with a warming trend through the end of the week.
Snow levels will start out 8,000 feet and above, says the National Weather Service, but will lower as low as 5,000-5,500 feet as the system continues to the east by Tuesday. Total snow accumulations up to around 8 inches are possible north of Kings Canyon.
While not a huge system and it does move through fairly quickly, the NWS still maintains it will produce enough snowfall for parts of the Sierra Nevada to warrant a Winter Weather Advisory. The Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for the Sierra Nevada above 5,000 feet from Yosemite National Park to the northern portion of Kings Canyon National Park from 5 p.m. Monday through 11 a.m. Tuesday. This time frame was pushed back 3 hours from earlier thinking due to the slower models solutions.
Winter Weather Advisory
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for the Central Sierra from Yosemite to Kings Canyon above 5,000 feet and including the areas of Bass Lake, Fish Camp, Wawona and Yosemite Valley. The advisory is in effect from 5 p.m. on Monday, Apr. 15 to 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Apr 16.
A Winter Weather Advisory for snow means periods of snow will cause primarily travel difficulties. Expect snow covered roads and limited visibilities, and use caution while driving.
Snow is expected above 5,000 feet; significant accumulations will mainly occur above 6,000 feet. Total snow accumulations of as much as 4 to 8 inches are expected at the higher elevations, with winds gusting as high as 55 mph.
Some snowfall is possible by early Monday morning; the heaviest accumulations are predicted to occur from 2 p.m. Monday to 8 a.m.
Plan on slippery road conditions and possible road closures. Campers and hikers should be prepared for deteriorating weather conditions.
