Yosemite still closed: Park won't reopen until at least St. Patrick's Day due to winter weather

Elizabeth Weise and Joel Shannon, USA TODAY
·2 min read
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Severe weather recovery will keep Yosemite National Park closed until Saint Patrick's Day – and that's an optimistic scenario, the park says.

The weekslong closure started on Feb. 25, as workers struggled to clear roadways and make it safe for visitors to return after a major winter storm.

On Thursday the park provided an update: "A partial reopening on March 17 is a best-case scenario."

Ranger Scott Gediman, the park's public affairs officer previously said "it's not safe to open the park."

In some areas the snow was as deep as 15 feet during the closure.

Yosemite Valley was hit with more severe weather over the weekend as an atmospheric river impacted California again. Yosemite Valley near Yosemite Village was under a flood watch, the National Weather Service said Saturday.

Park officials had originally hoped to reopen on March 2 but then it snowed again on March 1, prompting them to say the park would be closed indefinitely.

A snow plow clearing the tunnel entrance to Yosemite National Park on March 6, 2023. A massive winter storm closed the park on Feb. 26 and it was not anticipated to reopen until at least March 13.
A snow plow clearing the tunnel entrance to Yosemite National Park on March 6, 2023. A massive winter storm closed the park on Feb. 26 and it was not anticipated to reopen until at least March 13.

"We love our visitors and want to welcome them back, but safety is the top priority," Gediman previously said. The park's website and social media will be updated when the park reopens.

The extreme amount of snow, up to 15 feet in some areas, created dangerous conditions, said Garrett Dickman, a forest ecologist at the park.

"There's no margin for errors," he said.

"The weight of the snow is so much that it's breaking trees. Those big cliffs hold snow until they don't and then it sheds off. My crew filmed a huge avalanche coming off El Capitan."

A snow covered sign in Yosemite National Park on March 6, 2023. Several storms and heavy snow forced officials to close the entire park on Feb. 25. It was anticipated to stay closed at least through March 12.
A snow covered sign in Yosemite National Park on March 6, 2023. Several storms and heavy snow forced officials to close the entire park on Feb. 25. It was anticipated to stay closed at least through March 12.

Yosemite has experienced both complete and partial closures since its opening in 1890, caused by major events that make it unsafe for the public to be inside the 1,169 square mile national treasure.

In 2021, a powerful wind storm in January downed trees and damaged park buildings the park was closed for several days while roadways were cleared. Large snowstorms in 2011 and 1995 also caused closures, said Gediman.

"In the past, the park has also been closed for fires, government shutdowns, floods, rockfalls and storms," he said.

Yosemite National Park with a view of El Capitan, looking into the valley on March 6. A massive winter storm closed the park on Feb. 26 and it was not anticipated to reopen until at least March 13.
Yosemite National Park with a view of El Capitan, looking into the valley on March 6. A massive winter storm closed the park on Feb. 26 and it was not anticipated to reopen until at least March 13.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Yosemite National Park closed until at least Saint Patrick's Day