Widespread Sierra showers and thunderstorms through the midweek bring a risk for new fires.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Weather conditions forecast for the Sierra through midweek will require folks to be both storm and fire ready.
After what was a very hot Labor Day weekend, thunderstorms are returning to the forecast. Isolated, light showers are possible in the valley early Tuesday morning. However, this is another setup where the Sierra is the focus for widespread showers and storms.
This thunderstorm setup is not going to be as wet as the previous, meaning the threat for dry lightning is higher. The dry lightning potential is combined with an increasingly drier burn environment, meaning there is a high risk for new fire starts.
Also, it’s important to take shelter inside when you hear thunder. The saying “when thunder roars, go indoors” is admittedly kind of cheesy, but it can mean the difference between life and death. If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning. If you are out on Lake Tahoe or another lake or river and you hear thunder, promptly get back to shore and indoors.
When
Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon are going to be the prime thunderstorm times.
If you have plans to spend some time outside hiking, climbing, or on the water, it is best to get an early start and be back near shelter by lunchtime. The later in the day you are out and about, the higher chance you have of getting caught in a storm. It doesn’t mean you need to wrap everything up by midday, but just be back in-town near shelter and ready for a change in the weather.
Daytime heating will lead to instability over the Sierra crest, allowing these monsoonal thunderstorms to form. When the sun starts going down, the storms will weaken. So like usual, this is going to be an early afternoon to mid-evening weather event.
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Impact
This setup provides two different impacts. The first, as we discussed above, is the lightning threat. The second is a threat for new fires.
Lightning poses a risk to people exposed to the elements, such as folks hiking, climbing, tent camping, swimming, and boating. Lightning can strike several miles away from the center of the storm. It’s why sports venues have lightning delays even if it isn’t storming directly overhead. It is important to find enclosed shelter quickly after hearing even one distant rumble of thunder.
This round of storms – on both Tuesday and Wednesday – will be drier than the last round of Sierra storms, so the possibility for dry lightning is higher. And because fuels are so dry, lightning could easily start new fires.
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Need
Be both storm and fire ready if you’ll be spending any time in the high country.
Being storm ready means planning your activities around prime thunderstorm hours, this way you won’t be caught outdoors if the weather changes. It means being near shelter during the afternoon. It also just means being weather aware, as conditions can go from sunny to storm in a matter of just minutes.
It is important to find enclosed shelter quickly after hearing even one distant rumble of thunder. Remember, if you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning.
Being fire ready means having a go-bag packed before thunderstorms develop and knowing your evacuation route should a fire start in your area.
This is the time of year for Northern California when fuels are getting very dry because it has been months since we’ve had substantial rainfall. It’s also the time of year when we are most prone to dry lightning. Setups like this are a fact of life for our region. It’s important to be prepared.
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