Fresno, Calif. – Thunderstorms could light up the Sierra Nevada this afternoon with a 30% chance of lightning strikes, hail, and heavy rainfall threatening areas from Yosemite to Sequoia National Park through 11 p.m. Wednesday.
According to the National Weather Service in Hanford, mid-level moisture combined with warm valley upsloping is fueling the potential for scattered thunderstorms, primarily across higher elevations such as Mammoth Mountain, China Peak, and Tioga Pass. Isolated storms may produce erratic winds and cloud-to-ground lightning capable of sparking wildfires or downing trees.
Communities including Oakhurst, Shaver Lake, and Grant Grove face a 20–27% lightning probability. Areas near Camp Nelson, Kennedy Meadows, and Kings Canyon National Park are also under elevated risk. No significant threat is expected for lower valley cities like Fresno, Visalia, or Bakersfield, where storm chances remain near zero.
Travelers and outdoor enthusiasts in the Sierra should monitor rapidly changing weather, avoid exposed ridgelines, and delay backcountry plans during storm activity. Lightning can strike miles from the storm center—when thunder roars, head indoors.
Storm chances diminish late Wednesday, but additional rounds remain possible later this week depending on lingering moisture.
