San Francisco Area Thunderstorms: Lightning, Hail, and Gusty Winds Expected Until Wednesday Evening
A weak system may provide localized thunderstorms over the Bay Area from Monday to Wednesday evening.
According to the National Weather Service Bay Area office, areas from San Francisco to Monterey might get up to 20% of thunderstorms. The main risk is lightning strikes, but there are also tiny hail and windy, unpredictable gusts to consider. Thunderstorms can form during the day and at night, especially in higher elevations and interior valleys.
Dry lightning has the potential to start wildfires in more fire-prone locations, although the overall danger is seen as low. It is recommended that residents remain mindful of the weather and be ready for any unexpected changes, particularly while traveling or engaging in outdoor recreation. When lightning strikes without heavy rain, the risk of a fire increases.
Residents are reminded by NWS authorities to “go indoors when thunder roars” and to go inside right once if they see a flash. If storms intensify, there may be temporary interruptions to traffic and power outages.
Although forecasts point out that the combination of dry fuels and possible lightning might increase local fire fears, this weather pattern is not unexpected for mid-April in California. Weather.gov/BayArea will provide the most recent alerts and safety advice.
