Sacramento, California – Thunderstorms are expected to erupt across Northern California today, with the greatest risk centered over the Sierra Nevada mountains and the northern Sacramento Valley between noon and midnight.
According to the National Weather Service in Sacramento, scattered thunderstorms will develop through the afternoon and evening, bringing lightning, gusty winds, and the potential for small hail. The storm activity could also trigger brief downpours and elevate the risk for new wildfire starts, especially in areas with dry vegetation.
Cities including Redding, Chico, Yuba City, and even parts of Sacramento could see isolated cells as moisture builds in from the east. Drivers on I-5, Highway 99, and routes into the foothills should prepare for rapidly changing conditions, including sudden low visibility and slick roads.
Residents are urged to remain indoors during active storms and to avoid using open fields or elevated areas. If thunder is heard, the safest move is to head inside immediately.
Storm chances will taper off after midnight, but additional rounds are possible later this week as monsoonal moisture lingers over the region.
