Possible Thunderstorms Today for Mariposa, Oakhurst and Yosemite National Park

May 18, 2020 - The National Weather Service Hanford Office reports a few strong thunderstorms are possible across Central California this afternoon & evening.

Hail, brief heavy rain & gusty wind are some of the hazards expected.

In addition to dangerous cloud to ground lightning strikes, any thunderstorm can produce localized flooding.

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  Area Forecast Discussion 
  National Weather Service Hanford CA 
  335 AM PDT Mon May 18 2020 
   
   
  .SYNOPSIS... 
  A Pacific storm system will spread precipitation throughout  
  Central California. High elevation mountain snow and valley rain  
  will persist into Tuesday. A few strong thunderstorms are possible 
  this afternoon and evening north of Kern County. Dry weather is  
  expected Wednesday through Monday. 
   
  && 
   
  .DISCUSSION... 
  Strong Pacific storm system is making its way into the CENCAL  
  interior this morning as showers are breaking out over the region. 
  Showers are increasing in the Sierra attm. Regional radar and  
  satellite are indicating a line of heavy showers making its way  
  onshore across Monterey Bay. The front is pushing through the CWA  
  and embedded troughs will bring enhanced showers and possibly  
  thunderstorms through the day as the main center of low pressure  
  will sit off the NORCAL coast before moving inland later today.  
  Significantly cooler temperatures are expected today with periods  
  of showers and thunderstorms. Winds will be strong along the west  
  side of the SJV through this morning.  
   
  Convection will decrease after sunset this evening. We will see 
  additional precip across the Sierra with continued onshore flow 
  and orographic lift. However the bulk of the moisture will be over 
  and only spotty showers are expected overnight. Unsettled weather 
  is expected across the region again on Tuesday as onshore flow  
  will continue with embedded shortwaves that will trigger showers.  
  Afternoon convection is possible once again in the Sierra on  
  Tuesday, mainly north of Kings Canyon. The main upper level trough 
  will move through on Tuesday morning with the coldest day  
  expected.  
   
  NW flow aloft will keep the region dry and seasonable Wednesday 
  through Saturday. Weak embedded shortwaves will progress through 
  the NW flow through Friday. Weak ridging will bump temps up on  
  Sunday and Monday with a rex block pattern setting up in the EPAC  
  for early next week. 

Source: NWS