Yosemite Storm Warning Issued
Yosemite National Park issued a winter storm warning from Sunday to Wednesday with up to 7 feet of snow forecasted in higher elevations and gusts up to 60 mph. The park also warned that all valley parking is full ahead of the annual firefall phenomenon. Hazardous conditions are expected to persist through the week.
- The National Weather Service's winter storm warning is in effect from 10 p.m. Sunday to 10 p.m. Wednesday. Snow levels are expected to begin at elevations of 5,500 to 6,000 feet before dropping to 4,000 feet by Tuesday morning. - The "firefall" phenomenon occurs when the setting sun at a specific angle illuminates Horsetail Fall, creating a fiery glow that resembles lava. This natural event typically happens for a few weeks in mid-to-late February when there is enough snowmelt to feed the waterfall and skies are clear at sunset. - The current natural spectacle gets its name from a now-discontinued, man-made event. From 1872 until 1968, the original "Firefall" was a summertime attraction where burning embers were pushed from the top of Glacier Point. - Due to the firefall's popularity, the park has implemented a reservation system to manage the large crowds that gather for the event. For 2026, the prime viewing window for the natural firefall is estimated to be between February 10 and February 26. - Several key roads in the park, including Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road, are already closed for the winter season. The park announced that Badger Pass Road will temporarily close Monday evening due to the heavy snow forecast. - Severe winter storms have led to full park closures in the past for safety reasons. In March 2023, a powerful storm broke a 54-year-old daily snowfall record, dropping up to 15 feet of snow in higher elevations and closing the park indefinitely.
