May 6, 2019 - The National Weather Service Hanford Office reports a few strong thunderstorms are possible in the Southern Sierra Nevada and adjacent foothills this afternoon and this evening, mainly north of Tulare County.
Funnel clouds, small hail, and wind gusts near 40 miles per hour are some of the hazards associated with strong thunderstorms.
In addition to dangerous cloud to ground lightning strikes, any thunderstorm can produce intense rainfall rates, leading to localized flooding.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service San Joaquin Valley - Hanford CA 250 AM PDT Mon May 6 2019 .SYNOPSIS... A low pressure system in the vicinity of Southern California will be responsible for cooler afternoon temperatures and unsettled weather over the Southern Sierra Nevada and adjacent foothills today through Tuesday. The greatest potential for rain this week in the San Joaquin Valley should be Thursday afternoon through Friday afternoon. && .DISCUSSION... A low pressure system is located just off the coast of Santa Barbara County. This storm system is responsible for gusty southwest to west winds in the west side hills, where a Wind Advisory is in effect until 4 AM PDT. Most high resolution computer model guidance indicates that wind gusts will decrease this morning, before increasing once again late this afternoon. The low pressure system just offshore of Santa Barbara County will move southeastward down the south coast of the Golden State today, before progressing eastward across Southern California tonight. High temperatures this afternoon throughout Central California will be five to ten degrees below normal for this time of year. Gusty winds will develop late this afternoon in the Kern County mountains and desert, as well as in the west side hills. These gusty winds will persist into early tonight. A Wind Advisory may be required for these areas from late this afternoon into early tonight. Isolated thunderstorms cannot be ruled out in the Southern Sierra Nevada and adjacent foothills this afternoon and this evening. The aforementioned low pressure system will move eastward across the Desert Southwest Tuesday and Tuesday night. Wrap around atmospheric moisture will be responsible for a continued convective threat in the Southern Sierra Nevada and adjacent foothills Tuesday afternoon and Tuesday evening. Gusty winds are likely to develop in the Kern County mountains and desert late Tuesday afternoon, persisting into early Tuesday night. A trough of low pressure aloft will dig southwestward across the Great Basin Wednesday through Thursday. An area of low pressure may develop in the base of this upper-level trough Thursday night in the vicinity of Central California. This area of low pressure will meander around Southern California Friday into the upcoming weekend. The best chance for rainfall in the San Joaquin Valley will occur Thursday afternoon through Friday, when this atmospheric impulse is closest to Central California.Source: NWS
