Yosemite National Park is bracing for another powerful winter storm, with forecasts calling for roughly 24 inches of new snow in parts of the Sierra and wind gusts that could reach 50 miles per hour or higher at elevation. For travelers with winter trips on the books, the combination of heavy snowfall, fierce winds and rapidly changing conditions means plans may need to be adjusted at the last minute. Here is what you need to know before you set out for Yosemite in the days ahead.
The Storm: How Big, How Fast, and Where It Hits Hardest
Forecasters with the National Weather Service are tracking a strong Pacific system pushing into Northern and Central California, supercharged by bands of moisture that can quickly translate into deep mountain snow. While totals will vary widely with elevation, guidance suggests that higher terrain around the central Sierra could pick up one to two feet of snow over a relatively short window, with localized amounts even higher on the highest peaks. Conditions like this tend to deteriorate rapidly rather than gradually, which is why officials stress that visitors must be prepared for a swift change from clear roads to whiteout travel.
Wind is an equally serious concern. Mountain storms that deliver this type of snow often arrive with strong southwest to west winds that funnel over passes, ridgelines and open valleys. Gusts of 40 to 50 miles per hour are common in these patterns, and exposed locations can see higher speeds. In past Sierra blizzards that impacted Yosemite, winds in the 50 to 60 mile per hour range contributed to widespread tree damage, falling branches, and blowing snow that cut visibility to only a few dozen feet. The current storm setup is similar enough that officials are again warning of hazardous crosswinds and drifting snow on all approach routes.
It is also important to remember that totals inside Yosemite Valley, which sits around 4,000 feet in elevation, are usually lower than in the surrounding high country. A valley forecast of 6 to 12 inches can coincide with two or three feet falling at park entrances and along the main corridors that lead into the park. For travelers, road conditions on the way to Yosemite can be significantly worse than what the sky looks like upon arrival in the valley itself.
Park Operations: Closures, Restrictions and Last-Minute Changes
Yosemite has a history of taking an aggressive approach to visitor safety when powerful winter storms bear down on the park. In previous major blizzards, the National Park Service has preemptively closed entrances, asked visitors already in the park to leave ahead of the worst conditions, and temporarily shut down sections of the valley, campgrounds and facilities while crews work to dig out. When winds pick up and trees start falling, the risk of injuries, blocked roads and damaged infrastructure increases dramatically, making it difficult for rangers and emergency services to respond.
During a significant storm in late winter 2024, for example, Yosemite closed to visitors as several feet of snow fell across the park, with roughly two feet recorded in Yosemite Valley and much higher totals at the east-side meadows and high-country approaches. In that event, the closure was extended as high winds knocked down trees and power lines, leaving sections of the park inaccessible even after the snow had stopped. That experience continues to inform how park managers respond to new storms, particularly multi-day events that stack snowfalls on top of existing snowpack.
With the latest system, travelers should anticipate the possibility of time-specific restrictions, including hard deadlines by which visitors must exit the park before nightfall or before the most intense period of snowfall begins. The park may also close one or more of the main entrance roads while keeping another open, depending on which corridors are hardest hit. Even partial closures can mean long delays and reroutes, so it is wise to have a flexible plan that allows for alternative dates or backup destinations if Yosemite becomes temporarily inaccessible.
Roads and Access: Getting To (and Out Of) Yosemite Safely
All three primary western approach routes to Yosemite are vulnerable during major winter storms. Highway 140 through Mariposa, Highway 41 from Fresno and Highway 120 through the Big Oak Flat entrance each climb into terrain where heavy snow, rockfall and toppled trees can quickly restrict travel. In past storms, two to three feet of snow have been recorded at these entrances, with even more in the surrounding forests. Plows and road crews work continuously, but when snowfall rates become intense, it can be impossible to keep pavement clear.
Chain controls are almost certain during a storm that delivers 24 inches of fresh snow. Even all-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive vehicles are often required to carry chains, and there are frequent checkpoints where rangers and highway patrol officers verify that drivers meet traction requirements. Visitors not accustomed to Sierra winter driving often underestimate both the time and the skill needed to navigate steep, icy grades in low visibility. It is not unusual for smaller spinouts or jackknifed vehicles to cause multi-hour backups on narrow mountain roads.
Once inside Yosemite, expect limited parking, unplowed pullouts, and reduced shuttle service if conditions become dangerous. Park roads narrower than the main valley loop may close altogether. Travelers should be prepared for the possibility that the same route used to enter the park in the morning is no longer available to exit in the afternoon. In severe events, the park may advise visitors already in Yosemite Valley to remain in place, limiting movement to essential trips only until snow removal has made roadways safe.
What This Means for Lodging, Camping and Backcountry Plans
The impact of a major winter storm is not confined to the roads. Lodging availability, campground status and backcountry access all shift rapidly as conditions evolve. In past high-snow years and record storms, lodging areas such as Yosemite Valley and the Badger Pass region have seen rooflines buried, access paths choked with snowdrifts, and support facilities strained by the sheer volume of snow. Crews must spend days clearing roofs, decks and parking lots to prevent structural damage and allow safe foot traffic around hotels and cabins.
Campgrounds are particularly vulnerable. Sites that are normally accessible in winter can become unusable when several feet of snow fall in a short period of time. Even where camping remains allowed, visitors may be advised that conditions are strictly for experienced winter campers with full cold-weather gear, shovels and the ability to safely manage snow loading on tents and vehicles. After a blizzard in early March 2024, for instance, some campers were urged to carry shovels specifically to dig out their sites and vehicles each day. A similar level of preparation is prudent when the forecast calls for deep new snow and high winds.
Backcountry travel is even more complex. Multi-day trips into Yosemite’s high country or along the park’s rim regions demand solid avalanche awareness, route-finding skills, and the ability to handle temperatures that may plunge well below freezing once the storm clears. Wind-loaded slopes, hidden obstacles and unstable snow layers can persist long after the last flakes have fallen. In previous seasons, Tuolumne Meadows rangers have reported dense, wind-affected snow surfaces and buried crust layers that present real hazards to skiers and snowboarders. With another storm on the way, anyone considering an overnight backcountry trip should be ready to postpone plans until avalanche centers and park authorities signal that conditions have stabilized.
Travel Preparedness: Gear, Timing and Personal Safety
For travelers determined to keep their Yosemite plans despite the incoming storm, preparation is everything. At a minimum, winter motorists should carry tire chains that match their vehicle, a sturdy snow brush and shovel, extra warm clothing and blankets, food and water, and a fully charged phone and power bank. It is also wise to fill the gas tank before leaving the last major town, as storms can disrupt fuel deliveries and close smaller stations along mountain routes. Even a routine drive can turn into a multi-hour wait if an accident or treefall closes a stretch of highway.
When it comes to timing, flexibility can significantly reduce risk. Arriving before the worst of the storm and planning to stay put for its duration may be safer than trying to travel during peak snowfall. Alternatively, postponing a trip until twenty-four to forty-eight hours after the storm has passed allows crews time to clear roads, assess hazards and reopen facilities. In many cases, Yosemite is at its most beautiful in the calm after a winter storm, with fresh snow on granite cliffs and blue skies returning above the valley. Accepting a short delay can provide both better safety and better photography.
Personal safety in storm conditions also means being honest about your experience level. Visitors unused to snow, icy walkways and frigid temperatures may find Yosemite during a blizzard overwhelming. Simple tasks like walking from a parking lot to a viewpoint can involve deep drifts, hidden ice patches and falling snow from tree branches overhead. Slips, falls and exposure-related issues are perennial concerns for rangers. Good traction devices for boots, waterproof outer layers, and an awareness of time spent in the cold help reduce these risks.
After the Storm: Dig-Out Operations and Delayed Impacts
The end of snowfall does not mean an immediate return to normal operations. Once the storm passes, Yosemite’s staff faces the enormous task of clearing roads, parking lots, walkways and facility roofs. In previous blizzards that dropped more than two feet of snow in the valley and much more at higher elevations, plow crews worked around the clock for days just to reopen main corridors. Secondary roads, trailhead parking areas and some campgrounds often remain closed longer while resources focus on the most critical access routes.
Fallen trees and branches are another lingering hazard. High winds combine with heavy, wet snow to stress already weakened or dead trees throughout the park. In the 2024 blizzard, wind gusts around 50 to 60 miles per hour were strong enough to bring down numerous trees, some of which fell across roads and near buildings. Inspecting, cutting and removing this debris takes time and care, especially where trees are entangled with power lines or have compromised structures. Until crews complete this work, certain sections of the park may stay off-limits even under clear blue skies.
Travelers should also be aware of the delayed impacts of deep snowpack once temperatures begin to fluctuate. When storms stack up over a season, the snow that looks picturesque in February or March can lead to swollen rivers, flooded trails and infrastructure issues as spring melt begins. Past winters with extraordinary snowpack levels in Yosemite’s river basins have produced long-lasting access restrictions across high-country trails well into early summer. While a single storm delivering 24 inches of snow is only one piece of the seasonal picture, it contributes to an evolving landscape that visitors will continue to encounter months later.
Should You Go Now, Delay, or Rebook? Making the Call
With a monster winter storm aiming at Yosemite and the central Sierra, the question for many travelers is not only how to visit safely, but whether to visit now at all. The answer depends on your flexibility, your comfort with winter conditions, and your willingness to adapt plans on short notice. If your travel dates are fixed, you may need to accept that closures or dangerous driving conditions could derail a Yosemite visit entirely. In that case, monitoring official park announcements and regional travel advisories right up to your departure time is essential.
For those with more flexible schedules, waiting until after the storm may offer the best balance of safety and reward. Within days of a major snow event, Yosemite often transforms into a quiet, crystalline landscape with fewer visitors and extraordinary photographic opportunities. Roads are typically in better shape, services begin to resume, and rangers can provide up-to-date guidance on what areas are open and safe. Rebooking for a window just after the storm passes may mean trading the drama of falling snow for the serenity of a freshly blanketed valley.
No matter which option you choose, the key is to respect the power of Sierra winter weather. The same forces that create Yosemite’s legendary snow scenes can also bring life-threatening conditions when travelers are unprepared. A forecast calling for 24 inches of snow and 50 mile per hour winds in and around Yosemite should be taken seriously. With careful planning, clear-eyed risk assessment and a willingness to pivot, you can still experience the park at its most magical, while giving the storm the respect it deserves.