Yosemite National Park Closes Temporarily Due to Severe Winter Storm — What to Know

01.03.2024 - 22:15 / travelandleisure.com / Lake Tahoe / Airlines / National Park

A major winter storm has closed Yosemite National Park and is bringing other parts of the Sierra Nevada region to a full stop. 

Meteorologists are forecasting some areas of the region, including Lake Tahoe, to receive at least 12 feet of snow, or higher, as the system slowly moves through mountainous regions. 

Other parts of the region including Mammoth Lakes, the Sierra National Forest, and Yosemite National Park receive severe winter storms and advise the public to stay off the roads. The National Weather Service (NWS) has already placed most of the region on an Avalanche Watch, Avalanche Warning, and Blizzard Warning through at least March 3 at 10:00 am PST. 

Yosemite National Park officials have already closed the park, and are asking all visitors currently in the park to «leave no later than noon» today, according to the park's website. 

“A significant winter storm will impact much of the West heading into the weekend, including dangerous, blizzard conditions for the Sierra Nevada,” the NWS shared in an advisory. 

In response to the upcoming storm, airlines have begun issuing travel waivers to accommodate the rebooking of passengers. United Airlines has issued a travel waiver for several airports in the region including Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE) in Aspen, Colorado; Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE) near Vail, Colorado; Yampa Valley Regional Airport (HDN) near Steamboat Springs, Colorado; and Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

«We throw these totals out here — we are talking about feet. Six to ten feet of snow,» The Weather Channel meteorologist Jen Carfagno shared in a live report from Truckee, California, in advance of the storm. “It's almost like wait, is that a mistake? That's how long this event is going to be, and how much wind there is going to be.”

Regional leaders encourage visitors and residents to monitor alerts on the CalTrans and Nevada Department of Transportation websites and also follow winter driving advisories and tips. 

“Safety is paramount and with these anticipated snow totals it is imperative that guests monitor official resources for road conditions as well as ski resorts as there will be impacts to operations,” Carol Chaplin, Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority president and CEO, said in a statement to Travel + Leisure. “Once the storm clears powder-filled conditions will be incredible.”