Wet weather headed to Fresno area, mountains. ‘Travel could be very difficult to impossible’

The National Weather Service cautioned drivers headed to the Sierra Nevada this week to expect difficult conditions, including high winds, snow and generally hazardous conditions.

The incoming storm front may also bring more than an inch of rainfall to the Central San Joaquin Valley floor.

The alert was in place from Yosemite National Park to the southern Sierra from 10 p.m. Tuesday through 4 p.m. Wednesday.

Winds could gust to 50 mph and two to five feet of snow is expected, with up to eight feet at higher elevations. A total accumulation could reach five feet.

“Travel could be very difficult to impossible,” according to the alert.

Those who must venture to the higher elevations were advised to keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in the vehicle in case of an emergency.

Latest road conditions are available by phone at 511.

Rain in the central San Joaquin Valley is expected to begin sometime Tuesday night and bring between a quarter- and a half-inch of rain by Wednesday morning.

Another half-inch is possible Wednesday, followed by about the same amount Thursday.

This story was originally published December 21, 2021 at 10:24 AM.