A winter storm warning now covers California’s Eastern Sierra slopes above 7,000 feet, including areas near Aspendell and Whitney Portal in Inyo County. The warning runs from 1 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13, through 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, Pacific time. The National Weather Service in Las Vegas expects 5 to 10 inches of snow, with up to a foot near the Sierra crest.
Forecasters upgraded the watch to a warning late Wednesday. They say travel could become very difficult or impossible, including during the Friday evening commute. Snow can leave roads slick, especially on bridges and overpasses, and gusty winds could bring down branches.
Check the road before driving uphill
If you are driving west from Bishop toward Aspendell or from Lone Pine toward Whitney Portal, check conditions for the full route before leaving. Inyo County Public Works posts local road status, including Whitney Portal Road and Highway 168 above Aspendell. Caltrans QuickMap shows state highway closures and chain controls. The Weather Service also advises drivers who must travel to carry a flashlight, food and water.
The elevation cutoff matters because conditions on the valley floor can differ from those on the roads into the mountains. Drivers heading north toward Yosemite should also check the park’s separate Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road closures.
