Travelers scramble to buy chains as Coarsegold braces for snow

COARSEGOLD, Calif. (KFSN) -- A heavy winter storm continues to bring unexpected weather to Central California, and people in the foothill communities are now bracing for potential snowfall.

"When it starts coming in like that, people rush a lot to get stuff."

In Coarsegold, Dennis at NAPA Auto Parts is seeing a spike in customers, all with the same thing at the top of their shopping list: snow chains.

Along Highway 41, reminders for drivers that safety isn't an option.

Across the region, a blanket of white is slowly setting in, with most of the snow expected to come in during the overnight hours.

Action News created a graphic to reference elevation points across Central California, with Tuesday's snow expected to reach as far down as 2,000 feet.

Dennis tells us that in his four years living in Coarsegold, he's only seen it snow once.

The constant train of tourists making their way through town keeps the shop ready for a rush like this.

"The people that come visit Yosemite are the ones that kind of freak out. They don't know what's going to happen, stuff like that, so we're kind of used to it," Dennis says.

The roads near Oakhurst are bordered by small snowbanks.

One of those unequipped travelers was Marshal Morgan.

Action News caught up with him right after he picked up some chains.

"Just getting out of town, we drove up from Los Angeles," Morgan says. "We just like to get out, especially in the weather, see green California."

While he may not be seeing much green this time around, Morgan is not letting it put a damper on his family's vacation.

"Well, we usually drive to snow resorts for snow, so this will be a little different in that regard, but we like the snow," he says.

However, the effects of this snowfall remain to be seen.

In Mariposa County, the school district has already announced a two-hour delay in classes Wednesday, with the possibility of a full school closure.