Thunderstorms and tornado risk: What’s in the forecast across California?
The fated April showers are hitting California as the month enters its final days.
Starting late Monday night, a wall of rain spanned the length of the state, moving eastbound through Tuesday morning. Though some areas got a peek of blue skies during the workday, storm clouds are expected to return into the evening.
Here’s what the National Weather Service said about this week’s rain storm.
Will the rain continue through the workweek?
According to the weather service, showers are most likely going to be contained to the start of the week.
Forecasts across California indicate, after some Tuesday and Wednesday rain, skies should clear up.
Much of Northern California was slated to have a risk of thunderstorms, according to the national Storm Prediction Center, while some of the Central Valley had “marginal” risks of severe thunderstorms, high winds and tornados.
Some parts of the state have a slight chance of rainfall over the weekend, but confidence appears to still be low.
What’s in the forecast for the Sacramento area?
In the capital city, rain showers and thunderstorms are expected on Tuesday until 4 p.m., with probabilities lowering after 5 p.m., according to a National Weather Service forecast.
Overnight, showers are likely until 4 a.m., then chances lower through 11 a.m. Wednesday. The forecast shows dry skies through the end of the week and over the weekend
Up in the Sierra Nevada, the storm is expected to dump up to 2 feet of springtime powder after a dismal winter season.
A winter storm warning and winter weather advisory is in place for the mountains through 5 p.m. Wednesday, according to the NWS.
Latest doppler radar loop for Northern California
Is there a chance of tornados forming in the San Joaquin Valley?
The National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center placed Fresno, Merced, Stockton and Modesto under the first tier of risk for severe weather conditions on Tuesday.
These areas of the Central Valley have “marginal” risks of severe thunderstorms, with a 5% chance of strong gusty winds and a 2% chance of tornados and small hail forming through Tuesday evening.
According to a weather service forecast, wind gusts in Fresno are predicted to reach up to 20 mph on Tuesday, while Merced winds could hit 15 mph. In Modesto, winds are not expected to reach as high, only about 8 mph.
Fresno’s rain showers are expected to last through early Wednesday morning, with the chance of thunderstorms highest between 11 p.m. Tuesday and 2 a.m. Wednesday. Rain showers and possible thunderstorms could return Saturday, according to the forecast.
In Merced, rain and the potential for thunderstorms could last until roughly 11 p.m., the weather service’s forecast said. After a respite overnight and throughout Wednesday morning, a slight chance of showers and thunder will return after 2 p.m.
The Modesto forecast indicates rain showers and a chance of thunderstorms exists between noon and 8 p.m., with rain expected to dwindle by 10 p.m. Tuesday. On Wednesday, there is a 20% chance of rain before 11 a.m., and the rest of the week should stay dry until a chance of showers returns Saturday.
What does the Central Coast forecast look like?
According to the National Weather Service, much of San Luis Obispo County has already received rainfall upward of an inch between 11 a.m. Monday and Tuesday.
San Luis Obispo saw about 0.7 inches of rain, while Morro Bay and Paso Robles received roughly 0.4 inches. The Rocky Butte area received the most rain in the county in the storm’s first 24 hours, with 1.34 inches.
In San Luis Obispo, chances of rain and thunderstorms are expected to last until 11 p.m. Tuesday. The forecast shows clear skies through the rest of the week.
Wind gusts may reach up to 20 mph on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, according to the weather service.
