Hanford, California – An unusually active January weather pattern is unfolding across central California this weekend, with thunderstorms expected to develop Saturday afternoon and evening, bringing the potential for heavy rain, gusty winds, small hail, and localized flooding.
According to the National Weather Service in Hanford, multiple waves of a storm system are tracking through central California, with one wave arriving Saturday afternoon. Daytime heating combined with this system will create enough instability for thunderstorm development, especially across the northern San Joaquin Valley and the adjacent Sierra foothills. Cities including Fresno, Merced, Modesto, Visalia, and areas near Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks could see brief but intense downpours.
Forecasters warn that some storms may produce heavy rainfall in a short period of time, increasing the risk for localized flooding, particularly in low-lying areas, poor drainage locations, and near recent burn scars. Gusty winds and small hail are also possible with stronger storms. While rare for the region, there is a very low chance, less than two percent, of a brief tornado, underscoring how unusual this setup is for early January.
Residents are urged to stay alert for rapidly changing weather conditions, avoid driving through flooded roadways, and monitor alerts throughout the day. Additional storm waves are expected to continue moving through the region over the weekend, and forecasters say more advisories could be issued if storms intensify or rainfall becomes more widespread.
