Sacramento, California – Lightning and gusty winds could ignite fires across California’s mountain ranges through 8 p.m. Wednesday as isolated thunderstorms threaten the Sierra Nevada and adjacent highlands.
According to the National Weather Service in Sacramento, storms are most likely between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. both Tuesday and Wednesday. The affected region includes parts of the Sierra Nevada, extending from Lassen County through Yosemite, with hazards including small hail, brief heavy rain, lightning, and wind gusts capable of downing branches or spreading fires.
Communities along Highway 50 and Interstate 80—like Truckee, South Lake Tahoe, and Arnold—could experience sudden storm development. While storms are expected to remain scattered, any lightning strikes in dry vegetation could quickly spark wildfires.
Residents and visitors in the mountains are urged to stay indoors when thunder is heard, avoid open ridges, and postpone outdoor recreation during peak storm hours. Emergency crews remain on alert given the fire potential.
Thunderstorm chances diminish by Thursday, but dry fuels and warm temperatures could keep fire risk elevated into the weekend. Further updates from the NWS are expected if conditions worsen.
