Yosemite National Park has been fully closed due to a blizzard warning, with the closure starting at 12:01 a.m. on Friday. The park is expected to remain closed for at least three full days in response to a major winter storm, which has been described as a 'monster blizzard' causing 'life-threatening' conditions in the California mountains. A gust of 145 mph was recorded at Palisades Tahoe at an elevation of 8,700 feet above sea level. Officials have warned of high avalanche danger through Sunday in the Central Sierra slopes and Lake Tahoe. The extreme blizzard in the Sierras has seen winds gusting over 100 mph on ridgetops, with visibility below 1/4 mile in many spots. An 8-12 ft snow forecast for high terrain is expected, with the most severe wind and snow conditions continuing through Saturday.
Blizzard conditions close Yosemite National Park, ski resort operations. https://t.co/sYOXQEkwTM Click the image to read more:
Extreme blizzard underway in Sierras: * Winds have gusted over 100 mph on ridgetops. 145 mph at Palisades Tahoe. * Visibility below 1/4 mile many spots. * Yosemite closed * 8-12 ft snow still forecast for high terrain; most severe wind + snow thru Saturday https://t.co/POe1aRZd0p
A gust of 145 mph was recorded Thursday night at Palisades Tahoe at an elevation of 8,700 feet above sea level. Officials Friday warned of high avalanche danger through Sunday in the Central Sierra slopes and Lake Tahoe. https://t.co/WHZlUyMITn
Yosemite closes due to monster blizzard, 'life threatening' conditions in California mountains https://t.co/7Zzo6mPeXv
Yosemite closing for at least three full days due to 'major winter storm' MORE: https://t.co/y7LqyAVlmB https://t.co/B4MZQJfBWq
Yosemite closing for at least three full days due to 'major winter storm' https://t.co/VJbF1oyqn4
Yosemite to close due to major winter storm https://t.co/kMhixaV0XV
BLIZZARD WARNING: Yosemite National Park will be fully closed starting at 12:01 a.m. on Friday due to the anticipated weather conditions https://t.co/p4rehfunru https://t.co/KOkWDJuvhv
Yosemite National Park to fully close amid blizzard warning https://t.co/p4rehfunru