Northern California braces for ‘isolated thunderstorms.’ Here’s when and where they could strike

Thunderstorms are possible across parts of Northern California on Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.

Isolated thunderstorms are expected over the top of the Sierra Nevada between noon and 8 p.m. Thursday, the agency said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Thursday morning.

The storms are likely to occur south of Highway 50, the post said.

“The best chance of these thunderstorms occurring will be in southeastern Tuolumne County,” said Kate Forrest, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.

She added that Bear Valley and Cold Springs have a 15% chance of thunderstorms Thursday evening.

Possible hazards include lightning, gusty winds, brief periods of heavy rain and small hail, the weather service said.

There is also a chance that a fire will occur.

Are thunderstorms normal this time of year?

It’s common to see thunderstorms in the region during the summer, Forrest said.

“In summer, thunderstorms typically form in the afternoon, when the sun warms the air near the ground,” the weather service said. “If the atmosphere is unstable, warm air bubbles will rise and produce clouds, precipitation and eventually lightning.”

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