Includes Yosemite National Park
July 16, 2020 - The National Weather Service Hanford Office reports a few strong thunderstorms are possible in the Sierra Nevada, mainly above 7,000 feet this afternoon into this evening.
Small hail, funnel clouds, 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 Hanford CA 242 AM PDT Thu Jul 16 2020 .SYNOPSIS... A few strong thunderstorms are possible this afternoon and Friday afternoon in the Sierra Nevada, mainly above 7,000 feet. Widespread triple digit heat will impact the San Joaquin Valley, West Side Hills, and Kern County desert this weekend. High temperatures may eventually return to seasonal values by the middle of next week. && .DISCUSSION... An upper-level area of low pressure will be located just offshore of Southern California today through Friday morning. This cyclone aloft will retrograde westward Friday afternoon and Friday night. A ridge of high pressure will build westward over California this weekend. A few strong thunderstorms are conceivable this afternoon into this evening in the Sierra Nevada, mostly above 7,000 feet. A few strong thunderstorms are possible Friday afternoon along the Sierra Nevada crest. A thunderstorm or two cannot be ruled out Saturday afternoon along the Sierra Nevada crest. Maximum temperatures this afternoon will be two to three degrees warmer than yesterday. Widespread triple digit is expected in the San Joaquin Valley, West Side Hills, and Kern County desert this weekend. High temperatures throughout Central California Saturday afternoon and Sunday afternoon will be around five degrees above normal for this time of year. The aforementioned ridge of high pressure will remain in place Monday and Monday night. A trough of low pressure may approach the coast of California Tuesday. This trough of low pressure could move inland Tuesday night or Wednesday. The presence of the trough of low pressure may allow temperatures to return to seasonal values by the middle of next week. At this time, it does not appear as if monsoonal moisture will move into the Kern County desert next week. && .AVIATION... Smoke emanating from the Mineral Fire may persist in a layer at or above 6,000 feet, especially in Merced County, Kings County, and the western portions of Fresno and Madera Counties. Mountain obscurations are possible in the Sierra Nevada, mainly above 7,000 feet from 19Z this afternoon until 03Z Friday due to isolated showers and thunderstorms.Source: NWS
