Minarets High School declared a snow day, because Friday morning's storm knocked out power to the entire campus. It has since been restored, but snow and ice, especially at the lower elevations also created problems for drivers and other schools in the area.
A blanket of fresh snow covered Chukchansi Gold Resort Friday. Snow fell below 2,000 feet, knocking power out to nearby traffic lights. Some employees of the casino car pooled to work. But, drivers without chains were told by the CHP to turn around.
California Highway Patrol, Ofc. Doug Corbett said, "The road conditions were pretty bad. We had chain requirements all the way down to about 1500 feet for the chain requirements, which was temporary for about an hour."
In Coarsegold, the roads were clear by mid-morning, but businesses still showed signs of the early morning storm.
Pete Millar, who owns a meat market in town says this much snow, this late in the year, is unique.
"When we got up this morning, there was like eight inches on the roof, so that is pretty unusual for this time of year," said Millar. "I don't think I've seen it quite this deep in three or four years."
Meanwhile, in Oakhurst, schools were deserted because of a snow day. Administrators within the Chiwanakee, Yosemite, and Bass Lake school districts initially called for a one to two hour delay. But, they later decided to close several campuses because the roads weren't safe enough for kids to get to school.
The closures affected between three and four-thousand students.
Bass Lake Joint Union Elementary Superintendent, Glenn Reid says without additional snow days on their calendar, it's possible the school year may end later than expected.
Reid said, "There's a chance we have to add minutes to every day for the rest of the year or perhaps make up entire days for the end of the year."
Terry Nevins says he was surprised by the snow day announcement. Still, he made the most of it, by spending the day with his 8-year-old daughter, Hannah.
Nevins said, "It gives me a chance to spend the day with my daughter. We're going to Fresno to go shopping today."
Reporter asked, "What do you think about having a snow day?"
Hannah said, "It's fun and I'm glad it happened."
At this hour, no chain requirements are in place for the foothills, but CHP advises you carry them with you.
