Winter storm warning for Sierra as front hits before holiday weekend

A winter storm warning for the Sierra Nevada is in effect through Thanksgiving as the first storm front of the season rolled into the central San Joaquin Valley.

The National Weather Service issued the alert early Wednesday and reported that heavy snow is expected, with accumulations of 1 to 3 feet, and even 4 feet in some isolated areas. With the arrival of the storm, officials in Yosemite National Park announced the closure of Tioga Pass and Glacier Point roads until spring.

As of 9 a.m., Fresno received .36 of an inch of rain, Madera .21, and Visalia .36. It was the first precipitation for the valley since May, according to Andy Bollenbacher of the National Weather Service in Hanford.

China Peak Mountain Resort near Huntington Lake in Fresno County reported 14-16 inches of snow overnight and announced it is opening to skiers and snowboarders Friday to Sunday for the holiday weekend.

The storm front is barreling into the region with winds gusting as high as 65 mph at the crest of the Sierra. According to the weather service, travel in the higher regions will be “treacherous or nearly impossible” during the height of the storm.

Drivers heading to Southern California were warned that light snow was falling on the Grapevine on Interstate 5. The California Highway Patrol discontinued traffic pacing about 10:30 a.m.

On the Valley floor, rain and thunderstorms are forecast before 3 p.m., followed by showers and more possible thunderstorms later in the afternoon. Winds are expect to gust as high as 20 mph Rainfall is expected to taper off Thanksgiving Day and temperatures are expected to reach 50 degrees.

Isolated power outages were reported around the Valley early Wednesday, according to Pacific Gas & Electric Co.

This story was originally published November 27, 2019 at 6:24 AM.