Thunderstorms Possible in Mariposa County, Oakhurst and Yosemite National Park Today
May 23, 2019 - The National Weather Service Hanford Office reports a few strong thunderstorms are possible in the vast majority of Central California this afternoon and this evening.
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 345 AM PDT Thu May 23 2019 .SYNOPSIS... A low pressure system over the Great Basin will be responsible for a chance of valley rain showers and mountain snow showers this afternoon. A few thunderstorms cannot be ruled out this afternoon. The next storm system will impact Central California this weekend. High temperatures will remain below normal for this time of year today through at least Tuesday. && .DISCUSSION... An area of low pressure aloft will meander around the Great Basin today. There could be a few strong thunderstorms this afternoon, mainly over the Southern Sierra Nevada. Small hail and funnel clouds are a couple of hazards associated with strong thunderstorms in Central California. The latest High-Resolution Rapid Refresh computer model depicts plenty of convection over the higher terrain of Mariposa County this afternoon. Therefore, A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for the Sierra Nevada above 8000 feet, from Yosemite to Kings Canyon this afternoon into tonight. That area should receive two to four inches of snow in a twelve hour period from 11 AM PDT until 11 PM PDT. The aforementioned, upper-level area of low pressure will move to the northeast tonight and Friday. Be that as it may, a trough of low pressure aloft will remain over Central California tonight through Friday night. This upper-level trough of low pressure should provide enough atmospheric instability for the possibility of rain and snow showers in the Southern Sierra Nevada Friday afternoon and Friday evening. An area of low pressure aloft, just off the coast of the Pacific Northwest, should dive southward along the coast of California Saturday and Saturday night. This upper-level area of low pressure should move inland over the southern half of California Sunday. A Winter Storm Watch will likely be required for the Southern Sierra Nevada this weekend, starting Saturday. Thunderstorms are possible Saturday afternoon, Saturday evening, Sunday afternoon, and Sunday evening. The area of low pressure aloft will move from Southern California into Nevada Sunday night. A stubborn, upper-level trough of low pressure should remain over the Western United States early next week, keeping afternoon high temperatures below normal for this time of year.Source: NWS