We are considering a visit to Yosemite NP during the first two weeks of November while on a road trip from Seattle to Palm Springs.

Are we likely to get caught in a snow storm?

Of Wawona Hotel and Yosemite Lodge at the Falls, which would be the best to stay?

HTTY

"Are we likely to get caught in a snow storm? "

Absolutely NO way to know more than a few days ahead of time.

For a short visit - Yosemite Lodge for sure. It is a long drive up from Wawona into the Valley.

We were in Yosemite once when it snowed in November. It was very beautiful. Come prepared. Check out averages for November on Weather.com Could be warm, could be cool.

Definitely Yosemite Lodge.

So long as you aren't expecting to go over Tioga Pass or drive to Galcier Point (bothj closed now), Yosemite Valley in early Nov. will be grand, even if it snows. The other routes into the Valley are open year round, But you can't be sure of the weather ocnditions until about a week before the trip. And, in the mountains, it can change very quickly.

One more vote for Yosemite Lodge. That should cinch it. However, make reservations ASAP to beat the skiers to the rooms ---- even if there is no snow in the valley, there might be snow on the ski area (Badger Pass).

The roads are not currently closed.

http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/conditions.htm

Also a picture is worth a 1000 words.

http://tenaya.ucsd.edu/tioga/

Better yet how about a web cam?

http://www.nps.gov/yose/photosmultimedia/webcams.htm

Weather for Yosemite check closer to your dates:

http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick...19.6000&zone=1

Yosemite Lodge at the Falls hands down.

You should have chains at that time of year even if you're driving a 4WD vehicle. You won't even be able to enter some areas of the park if you don't have chains.

http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/chains.htm

However - IF you are renting -- almost no rental agencies allow chains on their cars.

Your own car? No problems . . . . .

Even if car rental companies don't allow chains everyone does it anyway. We have this discussion here all the time.

Please read the chains information from the link above carefully. You'll see that you only have to carry chains when the sign is posted. If the weather has been decent you'll be able to skip that part. So the bottom line is make sure you review the yosemite site for up to date information.

Thanks for the advice. I booked a lodge room with breakfast and put chains in the trunk of my car.

HTTY

Have a terrific time!

I actually camped there once in November (albeit early November) and it was glorious sunny weather, although chilly. Like someone says, you won't really know what the weather will be like until a day or so before you leave.

After the big rains we had a week or so ago, I heard the falls came back in force (an unusual sight at this time of year!), but that it would last only a few days. The only downside going in at this time of year is the lack of water falls, but still, a wonderful place at any time of the year.