Update: Winter storm warning for Yosemite from Sunday to Wednesday – gusts up to 60 mph
by Bay Area Weather Report · The Mercury NewsGetting your Trinity Audio player ready...
Yosemite is included in an updated winter storm warning issued by the National Weather Service on Saturday at 7:51 p.m. The warning is valid from Sunday 10 p.m. until Wednesday Feb. 18, at 10 p.m.
“Heavy snow with total snow accumulations 3 to 5 feet above 6,000 feet with 5 to 7 feet over the highest elevations and 1 to 2 feet down to 4,000 feet. Winds could gust as high as 60 mph,” can be expected according to the NWS Hanford CA. “Snow levels will begin at 5,500 to 6,000 feet on Sunday night and lower to 4,000 feet Tuesday morning. Light snow accumulations down to 3,000 feet Tuesday night into Wednesday.”
“Travel could be very difficult to impossible. The hazardous conditions could impact the Monday morning and evening commutes. Strong winds could cause tree damage,” according to the NWS. “If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1.”
The full list of affected locations includes:
- Yosemite
- Yosemite Valley
- Mariposa-Madera Lower Sierra
- Fresno-Tulare Lower Sierra
- South End of the Lower Sierra
- San Joaquin River Canyon
- Upper San Joaquin River
- Kaiser to Rodgers Ridge
- Kings Canyon NP
- Grant Grove area
- Sequoia NP
- South End of the Upper Sierra
- Piute Walker Basin
- Tehachapi
- Frazier Mountain Communities
Emergency alerts in the San Francisco Bay Area
All enabled mobile phones in the area will receive emergency alerts for “considerable or catastrophic” hazards. To monitor other local risk, residents are advised to sign up for county alert systems and to monitor agencies’ social media. Follow these instructions to enable your phone to receive Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs). To receive local alerts in the Bay Area, visit each county’s website:
Where to find winter weather shelters in your county:
Winter weather shelters in Santa Clara County: San Jose operates the Overnight Warming Location program.
Winter weather shelters in Alameda County: List of winter shelters operated in Alameda County, from Alameda County Health Care for the Homeless.
Winter weather shelters in San Mateo County: San Mateo County residents in need of shelter should visit their local Core Service Agency in order to seek access to the Inclement Weather Program or other shelter programs.
Winter weather shelters in Contra Costa County: For information about how to connect with all emergency shelters in Contra Costa, call 211 or click on the list of shelters provided by Contra Costa Health.
Winter weather shelters in Solano County: Solano County offers a list of centers where anyone can go to keep warm during extreme weather temperatures.
Winter driving essentials: Recommendations from the NWS for safe journeys
Winter weather can make driving treacherous, leading to over 6,000 weather-related vehicle fatalities and over 480,000 injuries each year. When traveling during snow or freezing rain, prioritize safety by slowing down. In near-freezing temperatures, it’s safest to assume that icy conditions exist on roadways and adjust your driving accordingly. Be cautious of ice accumulating on power lines or tree branches, which can lead to snapping and falling hazards. If possible, avoid driving in such conditions. If you must venture out, opt for routes with fewer trees and power lines. Never touch a downed power line, and immediately dial 911 if you come across one. Here are additional winter weather driving tips:
Share your travel plans:
When venturing out of town in hazardous winter weather, be sure to inform family or friends of your destination, your intended route, and your estimated arrival time.
Prepare your vehicle:
Ensure your gas tank is full and equip your vehicle with essential winter supplies such as a windshield scraper, jumper cables, a small shovel, flashlight, cell phone, blanket, extra warm clothing, drinking water, and high-calorie non-perishable food.
Stay calm when stranded:
If you become stranded, stay composed. Notify someone about your situation and location. Avoid attempting to walk to safety. Attach a cloth to your car’s antenna or mirror to signal that you require assistance. Make your vehicle more visible by using the dome light and flashers.
Be aware of snow plows:
Keep an eye out for snow plows and provide them with ample room to pass. Only overtake a plow when you have a clear view of the road ahead.
Check road conditions:
Before embarking on your journey, check the latest road conditions to make informed travel decisions.
Stay safe on wintry roads with these valuable winter driving tips from the NWS, and reduce the risk of accidents during challenging weather conditions.
For more weather alerts in the Yosemite area, visit Weather Advisories
Sourcing & Methodology
This article was generated by software that analyzes National Weather Service warnings and advisories and creates an article based on templates created by humans. Our data comes from publicly available information. You can report errors to content@bayareanewsgroup.com
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