Yosemite National Park, CA, closed on Saturday February 25, 2023, due to severe winter conditions. The park initially started with selected park road closures and chain requirements, but was forced to close the National Park to all traffic except administrative traffic only. Administrative traffic is allowed to enter through El Portal Road, which is the extension of HWY 140, to access the park.
It is estimated at this point that the closure will be in place until at least Wednesday, March 1, 2023.
The National Weather Service Hanford forecasts 36-48 inches of snow in the valley and 55-84 inches of snow at 4,000 ft from Sunday to Wednesday. Snow levels are expected to drop to 2,000ft. The majority of precipitation from this storm system is expected for Tuesday afternoon to Wednesday morning.
It is not the first time Yosemite National Park was closed due to snow. The last timeย the park was closed was on February 5, 2019. Back then, seven feet of snow fell in the Sierra Nevada Mountains over four days, and the heavy snow fall downed trees across the park.