Winter storm warning for Yosemite Sunday through Wednesday – winds up to 60 mph – The Mercury News

Yosemite is included in an updated winter storm warning issued by the National Weather Service Saturday at 7:51 pm The warning is in effect from Sunday 10 pm until Wednesday Feb. 18, at 10 pm

“Heavy snow with total snow accumulations of 3 to 5 feet above 6,000 feet and 5 to 7 feet above high elevations and 1 to 2 feet below 4,000 feet. Winds up to 60 mph,” can be expected according to NWS Hanford CA. “Snow levels will start at 5,500 to 6,000 feet Sunday night and drop to 4,000 feet Tuesday morning. Light snow accumulates to 3,000 feet Tuesday night into Wednesday.”

“Travel may become difficult to impossible. Hazardous conditions may affect travel Monday morning and evening. Strong winds may cause tree damage,” according to the NWS. “If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your car in case of an emergency. The latest traffic conditions for the county you are driving in can be obtained by calling 5 1 1.”

The full list of affected areas 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 on Rodgers Ridge
• Kings Canyon NP
• Residences in Grant Grove
• Sequoia NP
• South End of the Upper Sierra
• Piute Walker Basin
• Tehachapi
• Frazier Mountain Communities

Emergency alerts for the San Francisco Bay area

All enabled cell phones in the area will receive emergency alerts for “major or catastrophic” hazards. To monitor other local risks, residents are advised to sign up for regional warning systems and monitor organizations’ social media. Follow these instructions to enable your phone to receive Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs). For local warnings in the Bay Area, visit each state’s website:

Santa Clara County

San Mateo County

Alameda County

Contra Costa County

Solano County

Napa County

Sonoma County

San Francisco County

Marin County

Where to find winter weather shelters in your region:

Winter weather shelters in Santa Clara County: San Jose operates the Overnight Warming Shelter program.

Alameda County Winter Weather Shelters: List of winter shelters operating 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 to request access to the Clement Weather Program or other shelter programs.

Winter weather shelters in Contra Costa County: For information on how to contact 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 facilities where anyone can go to stay warm during severe weather.

Winter driving essentials: Recommendations from the NWS for safe travel

Winter weather can make driving tricky, leading to more than 6,000 weather-related traffic deaths and 480,000 injuries each year. When driving in snow or freezing rain, put safety first by slowing down. In near-freezing temperatures, it’s safer to assume icy conditions exist on the roads and adjust your driving accordingly. Be aware of snow accumulating on power lines or tree branches, which can lead to tripping and falling hazards. If possible, avoid driving under such conditions. If you must go out, choose routes with fewer trees and power lines. Never touch a downed power cord, and call 911 immediately if you come into contact with it. Here are some winter weather driving tips:

Share your travel plans:

If you’re going out of town in dangerous winter weather, be sure to let family or friends know your destination, intended route, and estimated time of arrival.

Prepare your car:

Make sure your gas tank is full and equip your car with winter essentials such as a windshield scraper, jumper cables, a small shovel, a flashlight, a cell phone, a blanket, extra warm clothes, drinking water, and high-calorie non-perishable food.

Stay calm when confused:

If you lose strength, stay strong. Let someone know about your status and location. Avoid trying to get to a safe place. Tape a cloth to your car’s trunk or mirror to show that you need help. Make your car more visible by using dome light and headlights.

Watch out for snow plows:

Watch out for snow plows and give them enough room to pass. Just pass the plow when you have a clear view of the road ahead.

Check road conditions:

Before taking your trip, check the latest road conditions to make informed travel decisions.

Stay safe on winter roads with these important winter driving tips from NWS, and reduce the risk of accidents during challenging weather conditions.

For more weather alerts in the Yosemite area, visit Weather Advisories