Sierra Nevada Faces Fire Weather Watch Amid Thunderstorm Threat

What Happened

A Fire Weather Watch has been issued by the National Weather Service for elevations above 3,000 feet in the Sierra Nevada. This alert is in effect from this evening through Thursday evening.

The affected areas include the Sierra Nevada regions of Tuolumne and Calaveras Counties, along with all of Alpine County. The forecast anticipates thunderstorms, which may be a mix of wet and dry conditions. Lightning strikes are possible, even in areas without significant precipitation, and could occur outside the core of storms.

Strong and unpredictable outflow winds are expected near any thunderstorm development. These conditions, particularly lightning combined with strong winds, pose a risk for new fire ignitions and the rapid spread of existing fires.

Key Facts

• The National Weather Service issued a Fire Weather Watch.
• The watch covers the Sierra Nevada above 3,000 feet.
• The period of concern is from this evening through Thursday evening.
• Affected counties include Tuolumne, Calaveras, and Alpine.
• Forecasts include thunderstorms, with potential for both wet and dry conditions.
• Lightning strikes may occur outside precipitation cores.
• Gusty and erratic outflow winds are expected with thunderstorm development.
• These conditions can initiate new fires and cause rapid growth of existing ones.