{"id":259939,"date":"2026-04-09T20:54:09","date_gmt":"2026-04-09T20:54:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/259939\/"},"modified":"2026-04-09T20:54:09","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T20:54:09","slug":"ca-weather-thunder-rain-hail-and-mountain-snow-forecast","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/259939\/","title":{"rendered":"CA weather: Thunder, rain, hail and mountain snow forecast"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cSevere thunderstorms\u201d are expected<\/a> to sweep across California, bringing heavy rain, strong winds and mountain snow.<\/p>\n

A severe thunderstorm warning<\/a> was in place for much of California on Thursday, April 9, according to the National Weather Service.<\/p>\n

This means severe weather poses an \u201cimminent danger to life and property<\/a>,\u201d the weather agency said.<\/p>\n

In addition, a winter storm watch<\/a> will be in place for much of the Sierra Nevada starting Friday, April 10.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s what to know as wild weather returns to California:<\/p>\n

\"More More rain, wind and scattered thunderstorms are expected to hit California. Sacbee.com Staff Winter storm watch issued for Sierra Nevada<\/p>\n

According to the National Weather Service, the winter storm watch<\/a> will remain in place from 5 p.m. Friday through 10 p.m. Sunday, April 12.<\/p>\n

The weather advisory affects areas across the Sierra Nevada, including the cities of Quincy, Chester and Blue Canyon.<\/p>\n

\u201cMountain travel may be very difficult<\/a> to impossible, so be sure to plan ahead now!\u201d the National Weather Service said on X, warning of \u201cmoderate to heavy snow.\u201d<\/p>\n

When will thunderstorms hit California?<\/p>\n

Thunderstorms are expected to move across California in waves over the next several days, according to the National Weather Service.<\/p>\n

The first system is expected<\/a> to arrive Thursday, bringing lighter rain and the chance for isolated thunderstorms.<\/p>\n

A second, stronger system is expected to follow on Friday.<\/p>\n

That system could bring more thunderstorms, along with \u201clightning, gusty winds, brief heavy rain<\/a> and small hail,\u201d the weather agency said.<\/p>\n

\u201cLight to moderate rain is expected<\/a> for elevations below 7,000 feet and moderate snowfall for locations above 7,000 feet,\u201d the National Weather Service said.<\/p>\n

What happens during a severe thunderstorm?<\/p>\n

As of Thursday, parts of Northern California<\/a> and the Central Valley<\/a> \u2014 including Sacramento<\/a>, Modesto<\/a>, Merced<\/a> and Fresno<\/a> \u2014 were under a severe thunderstorm warning.<\/p>\n

A severe thunderstorm<\/a> is capable of producing hail at least 1 inch in diameter or wind gusts of 58 mph or stronger, according to the National Weather Service.<\/p>\n

\u201cHail this size can damage property such as plants, roofs and vehicles,\u201d the weather agency said. \u201cWind this strong is able to break off large branches, knock over trees or cause structural damage to trees.\u201d<\/p>\n

In more extreme cases, storms can produce hail larger than softballs \u2014 or 11 to 12 inches in diameter \u2014 and winds of more than 100 mph.<\/p>\n

Thunderstorms can also bring lightning<\/a> and even tornadoes<\/a>.<\/p>\n

How much snow will fall across the Sierra Nevada?<\/p>\n

According to the National Weather Service, approximately 1 to 2 feet of snow could fall<\/a> at elevations above 4,500 feet as the storm system hits.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, 3 to 4 feet of snowfall is expected at the highest peaks, with up to 2 to 4 inches of snow accumulating at elevations as low as 4,000 feet.<\/p>\n

Wind gusts could reach up to 45 mph, creating travel delays, road closures<\/a> and \u201csignificant reductions in visibilities at times.\u201d<\/p>\n

In South Lake Tahoe, snowfall is expected to begin<\/a> Friday, with wintry conditions continuing through Monday, April 13.<\/p>\n

Snow is forecast for Yosemite National Park<\/a>, starting Saturday.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s in the weather forecast for Sacramento?<\/p>\n

In Sacramento, there was 30% chance of rain, winds and thunderstorms<\/a> after 4 p.m. Thursday, according to the National Weather Service\u2019s latest forecast.<\/p>\n

The high temperature was expected to near 77 degrees, with the low temperature dropping to around 55 degrees overnight.<\/p>\n

Storm chances increase Friday, when there\u2019s an 80% chance of thunderstorms. Temperatures will cool with a high near 65 and the low around 54.<\/p>\n

By Saturday, Sacramento could see showers, possible thunderstorms and wind gusts up to 26 mph. The high will be near 60, and the low will be around 48.<\/p>\n

On Sunday, Sacramento will see a 90% chance of rain and thunderstorms, with a high near 57 and a low around 45.<\/p>\n

Skies are expected to clear by Monday, April 13.<\/p>\n

Are thunderstorms forecast for Modesto?<\/p>\n

Thunderstorms are expected to reach Modesto<\/a> after 5 p.m. Thursday, the weather service said in its latest forecast.<\/p>\n

The high will be near 79, with a low around 57.<\/p>\n

Rain and thunderstorms continue Friday, with a high near 72 and a low around 55.<\/p>\n

Saturday\u2019s forecast calls for an 100% chance of thunderstorms and gusty winds up to 24 mph. The high will be near 68, with an overnight low around 50.<\/p>\n

On Sunday, rain remains likely with a 90% chance of showers. The high will be near 61, with a low around 47.<\/p>\n

Skies are expected to turn \u201cmostly sunny\u201d by Monday<\/a>, the weather service said.<\/p>\n

How long will it rain in Fresno? Merced?<\/p>\n

Thunderstorms are forecast across much of the Central Valley<\/a>, including Merced<\/a> and Fresno<\/a>, with rain, wind and lightning.<\/p>\n

\u201cSevere thunderstorms\u201d are expected<\/a> to begin Thursday and continue into the weekend, according to the latest forecasts.<\/p>\n

\"The The National Weather Service is forecasting rain and thunderstorms for much of California. Will San Luis Obispo see thunderstorms? What about Southern California?<\/p>\n

The first storm system \u2014 which is expected Friday into Saturday \u2014 will have only limited impacts along the coast<\/a> and Southern California, according to the National Weather Service.<\/p>\n

Since the system is expected to stay mostly over Northern California, areas along the Central Coast \u2014 including San Luis Obispo<\/a> \u2014 will likely see only light showers, with rainfall below a quarter inch.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe second system for late Saturday into Sunday will be the stronger of the two and with the potential for heavy showers and severe storms,\u201d the weather agency said.<\/p>\n

The National Weather Service\u2019s latest forecast for San Luis Obispo called for possible thunderstorms on Friday<\/a> and Saturday.<\/p>\n

Have a question about life in California?<\/p>\n

How to California \u2014 a guide to help you live, work and enjoy life in the Golden State, is here to help.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ll answer your questions \u2014 big and small \u2014 about state laws, history, culture, recreation and travel.<\/p>\n

Ask your questions in the form below (can\u2019t see it? Click here<\/a>) or email howtocalifornia@mcclatchy.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Related Stories from Sacramento Bee<\/p>\n


\n \"Profile
\n <\/a><\/p>\n

Angela Rodriguez<\/a><\/p>\n

The Modesto Bee<\/p>\n

Angela Rodriguez is a service journalism reporter for The Bee. She is a graduate of Sacramento State with a bachelor\u2019s degree in journalism. During her time there, she worked on the State Hornet covering arts and entertainment.\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"\u201cSevere thunderstorms\u201d are expected to sweep across California, bringing heavy rain, strong winds and mountain snow. A severe…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":259940,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[32],"tags":[121,123,122],"class_list":["post-259939","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-sacramento","tag-sacramento","tag-sacramento-headlines","tag-sacramento-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/259939","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=259939"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/259939\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/259940"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=259939"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=259939"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=259939"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}