California snow advisory for Sierra Nevada is earliest in 20 years

People traveling through the Sierra Nevada should make alternate route in case there are road closures, according to the National Weather Service.

California issued its earliest snow advisory in the past 20 years with an alert early this week for residents in the Sierra Nevada, according to the National Weather Service.

From Sunday to Monday, areas of the Sierra Nevada above 8,000 feet can expect some snow as a trough, a region of low atmospheric pressure, brings between a 35% to 65% probability of 2 inches of snow or more.

“We have a very cold draft moving into the area this afternoon and evening, and [it] will move through on Monday,” JP Kalb, a forecaster with weather service, told USA TODAY.

The trough will also bring rain to the San Joaquin Valley.

The winter advisory will remain in effect from 11 p.m. local time Sunday night to 5 p.m. Monday.

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Slick roads

California’s State Road 120 passes through the Tioga Pass, an area near Yosemite National Park that is expected to receive more snow than other areas, according to the weather service. It is one of the main roads that leads to the park.

There is a 40% chance it will receive 3 inches of snow or more.

The pass, which is 231 miles east of San Francisco, is at an elevation of 9,943 feet in the Sierra Nevada and usually closes in the winter due to snowfall.

Visitors in areas of Yosemite National Park could experience snow as well.

Those traveling through the Sierra Nevada this week should have alternate plans in case of closures. People driving through the Valley should watch for slick roads.

Yosemite National Park will make the decision on whether to close SR 120, David Spector, a weather service meteorologist, told USA TODAY.

Second chance of snow later this week

There is another 40% chance the Tioga Pass will see 3 inches or more of snow from Wednesday to Thursday as a second trough moves into the area.

California Wildfires won’t be affected

Southern California is coping with several wildfires. However, they will not be impacted or lessened by the rain.

“Most of the wildfires are well South of where we have the advisory,” said Kalb.

The weather service forecasts the precipitation will be 33% to 40% below average. Last year was slightly below average.

Despite the early snow advisory, the weather service forecasts that the Missouri River Basin Drought, which is affecting areas of northern and southern California, could continue to worsen through September.

California weather advisories

Julia is a trending reporter for USA TODAY. You can connect with her on LinkedIn, follow her on X, formerly Twitter, Instagram and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@gannett.com