National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologists are warning drivers to exercise caution this weekend in parts of California as a rare August snow forecast that could cause roads to be slick.
The forecast comes as states in the Midwest, Northeast and Pacific Northwest are expecting daily highs more commonly associated with fall weather as a cold front brings a temporary respite from summer heat. Some temperatures will be as much as 15 degrees below average for this time of year. In addition to the cold front, a storm system is moving in from the northwest toward California, bringing the threat of an August snowfall.
On Thursday, the NWS office in Hanford issued a list of places in California most likely to see snow this weekend, including the high country in Yosemite National Park. Chances of snowfall greater than .1 inches are as high as 45 percent along Tioga Road, a mountain road through the Sierra Nevada mountains that takes drivers to the east entry to Yosemite National Park.
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“Here are updated probabilities on snowfall potential over the High Sierra this weekend. Although these are light amounts, motorists and hikers should be aware of this forecast,” the NWS office in Hanford posted on X, formerly Twitter, on Thursday.
An earlier post by NWS Hanford included a map of the forecast.
A dusting of snow is possible above 8,000 feet on Friday evening until Sunday morning in the highest elevations of the Sierra Nevada. The best chances are in the high country in Yosemite NP with a 30-50% chance for 0.1 inches of snow and a 20-40% chance of 0.5 inches. #CAwx pic.twitter.com/KwxcDlP7Bb
— NWS Hanford (@NWSHanford) August 21, 2024
Additional details included in the post warned motorists that a “quick coating of snow through late Saturday could make Tioga Road slippery.” Snow also could “greatly” reduce visibility.
“Alter travel plans if you feel it is necessary above 8,000 feet,” the message said. “[Hikers] and campers should be prepared for winter-like conditions.”
The highest chance for snowfall is along Tioga Road, the NWS said. Tioga Road is the highest road in Yosemite, the National Park Service said. If snow falls, it will be the first August snowfall recorded in the high Sierra Nevada mountains in at least 20 years, the NWS said.
NWS meteorologist Dan Harty told Newsweek that Tioga Road is typically closed for the winter following the first significant snow of the season, meaning drivers might not have much experience driving in snowy conditions on that road. He added that hazardous travel is the NWS’ biggest concern with this event, although the snow is only expected to be a temporary hindrance.
Above-average temperatures are expected to return to California next week, with NWS Hanford also sharing a graph depicting the probability of temperatures exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit across the San Joaquin Valley.
As of Thursday evening, there were no snow-related warnings or alerts in place for California, according to the NWS.
