Drivers urged to prepare as snow levels expected to drop

MADERA COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- Snow levels are expected to driblet this weekend, and officials are informing travelers to usage caution connected the roadways.

Snow-capped mountains overlooking the San Joaquin Valley are expected to go a much acquainted show astatine little elevations.

"There is simply a upland that is betwixt Coarsegold and Oakhurst that does get snow. If we get snowfall astatine that level, that country does thin to get a small icy," said California Highway Patrol Sgt. Chris Wynveen.

Construction projects successful and astir the Oakhurst country stay minimal, but 1 large task remains.

"Road 274, which connects the municipality of North Fork to the northbound broadside of Bass Lake, is simply a conception wherever the roadworthy washed retired 2 storms ago, truthful astir 2 years ago," said Wynveen.

With snowfall levels dropping, a apical interest for CHP is unprepared drivers not acquainted with the terrain.

"They spell into Yosemite to bask their abrogation oregon their clip successful Yosemite, and a tempest hits that is typically predicted to hit, and present they're trying to travel retired of Yosemite, and they're not decently equipped," Wynveen explained.

"You cognize it's snowing, marque definite you person chains, marque definite you person nutrient and h2o successful lawsuit you bash get stuck somewhere," said Marcele Price, who lives successful Coarsegold.

Locals cognize to instrumentality warnings earnestly and recognize the hazard of venturing retired successful snowy conditions.

"People think, 'Oh, we tin cruise along, it's fine.' Then they deed a truly atrocious spot, and they're successful the ditch, oregon they're successful the backmost of idiosyncratic else's car, and they weren't invited," said Price.

For quality updates, travel Nico Payne connected Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.