High Sierra Topix

Date: December 15, 2016
Roads leading to Yosemite Valley to close this afternoon at 5:00 p.m.

The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning and flash flood watch for today, Thursday through Friday, December 15, 2016 for the Yosemite region. Flooding will occur on the Merced River in Yosemite Valley. Two to four inches of rain are forecasted today through Friday, with some areas receiving as much as six inches. Heavy snow is predicted for the Sierra Mountains with as much as six feet along the crest. Rainfall during this storm will raise water levels in the Merced River over 14’, several feet above flood stage at the Pohono River Gauge.

Yosemite will implement road closures throughout Yosemite Valley, into and out of, beginning at 5 PM today, Thursday, December 15, 2016, and they will last overnight. Visitors who are leaving the park today are urged to leave by 4:00 p.m. at the latest. . The scheduled roads closures are as follows:

HWY 140 from El Portal to Yosemite Valley will be closed at Park Line in El Portal.
Wawona Road (HWY 41 North) from Wawona to Yosemite Valley will be closed at Chinquapin (access to Yosemite West provided)
Northside drive exiting Yosemite Valley will be closed at Yosemite Valley Lodge for outbound traffic
Big Oak Flat Road/HWY 120 will be closed at the Foresta junction, no entrance to Yosemite Valley from highway 120.
Roads will be reevaluated for re-opening tomorrow Friday, December 16.

When traveling, be watchful of other hazards that could include mud and debris flow, falling trees, and rock fall. Fire burn scar areas may see elevated threat of debris flows during heavy rain as well.

For 24 hour road and weather information, please call (209) 372-0200.

Merced River Crested Below Flood Stage Early This Morning

All roads leading into Yosemite Valley have reopened. Additionally, campgrounds, lodging, restaurants, and facilities within Yosemite Valley are open and fully operational. This reopening is possible because the Merced River crested below flood stage early this morning, resulting in no major damage to park roads or operations. All roads leading into Yosemite Valley were closed last evening at 5:00 p.m.due to a forecast of flood conditions with a strong storm coming into the Yosemite area.

Visitors are asked to drive with extreme caution as there is still water on the roadways, some downed branches, and minor rockfall on park roads. Park crews will be working for the next several days in cleaning roadways and removing debris.

Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System (YARTS) buses are running on their normal schedule.

For 24 hour road and weather information, please call (209)372-0200