Thunderstorms and lightning harpoon Sierra Nevada — new Tioga opening

[SF Chronicle RSS Feed - Tom Stienstra]

Snow in the high country and pockets of heavy rain on the west slopes of the Sierra Nevada is making for some big changes — and a new Saturday opening date for Tioga Road in Yosemite National Park. In the short term, up to six inches of snow fell by Monday morning along Echo Summit, reported Caltrans, and about a half inch of rain in many areas on western slopes of the central Sierra. This will greatly reduce fire danger through early May across what had been publicized as the start of a dangerous early fire season. In Yosemite, the opening of Tioga Road over Tioga Pass has been re-set [...]

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