Storm dampens Lode, more on the way

More wet weather is coming Friday after a weak system moved through overnight, dropping light amounts of rain in the foothills and dusting Sierra passes with snow.

The only chain controls this morning were on Highway 4, three miles east of Cottage Springs.
 

The wettest areas this morning were in the foothills from 1,000 to around 2,000 feet, with 0.14 inches falling overnight in Sonora, 0.19 inches in Angels Camp and 0.20 inches in Columbia.

Just 1 inch of snow had fallen at Sonora Pass and Ebbetts Pass by 7:30 a.m.

Highway 108 over Sonora Pass was closed east of Kennedy Meadows. Highway 4 over Ebbetts Pass was closed a half mile east of the Mt. Reba turnoff. Highway 120 was closed at Crane Flat, and Glacier Point Road in Yosemite was closed.

Fog rolled in at lower elevations after sunrise this morning.

The region will see a break in the weather today and Thursday, said the National Weather Service, before another system approaches for Friday.

That storm is expected to be more potent, with more snow at lower elevations, causing significant travel hazards for drivers.

“I’m hoping for a stronger storm,” said Dolores Mast, of Brice Station in Calaveras County. “I’m tired of watering. We had that strong storm a month ago, then nothing much since then.”

Now that the rainy season has arrived, people may want to check for highway conditions before heading into the high country by calling Caltrans’ traffic information line at 800-427-7623.

For Yosemite National Park, call 372-0200, and for the Stanislaus National Forest, call 532-3671 during weekday business hours.

Carry tire chains, blankets and extra food and water when traveling in the high country.