Includes Eastern Mariposa, Madera, and Fresno Counties and Yosemite
July 11, 2024 - National Weather Service Hanford Office officials report a Fire Weather Watch has been issued for the Sierra Nevada this weekend due to an increased probability for dry thunderstorms of 10-30% for the afternoons of Saturday and Sunday.
This is combined with low relative humidities and the low probability for wetting rain (10-25%), creating an elevated fire risk.
Fire Weather Watch
URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Hanford CA 146 AM PDT Thu Jul 11 2024 Central Sierra-North Kings River-Sequoia Kings-Lake Isabella- 146 AM PDT Thu Jul 11 2024 ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH SUNDAY EVENING FOR LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY AND THUNDERSTORM CHANCES... INCLUDING A CHANCE FOR DRY LIGHTNING IN THE SIERRA NEVADA FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 592, 593, 594, AND 595... * AFFECTED AREA...Fire weather zone 592.Fire weather zone 593.Fire weather zone 594.Fire weather zone 595. * WIND...Terrain-driven winds 6-12 mph. Stronger, erratic wind gusts possible in thunderstorm outflow. * HUMIDITY...Minimum daytime humidity levels as 15-25% * THUNDERSTORMS...25% chance of thunderstorms - including dry lightning - late Saturday morning through Saturday afternoon. Less than a 10% chance of wetting rain with these storms. Thunderstorm potential resumes Sunday afternoon, ending Sunday evening. * IMPACTS...any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly dueto dry fuels. Outdoor burning is not recommended. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible Red Flag Warnings.
Source: NWS