Fire Weather Watch Issued For Sierra Nevada

The National Weather Service has issued a Fire Weather Watch for the Sierra Nevada from Sunday morning through Monday morning. 

This is for zone 221, which is the Stanislaus National Forest, and zone 296, which includes Yosemite National Park.

Dry thunderstorms are possible over the central valley, the Mother Lode and the Sierra Nevada on Sunday. These storms will contain lightning with gusty winds and very little rainfall. 

Winds in the Sierra Nevada are expected to range from ten to twenty mph, with gusts up to forty mph in the highest locations. Winds near thunderstorms will be erratic and gusty.

Dry lightning combined with dry and receptive fuels could initiate wildfires in the Sierra.

Thunderstorms are possible through Monday night.

Hikers, campers and boaters should monitor the weather and seek shelter at once if threatening weather approaches. Lightning can strike several miles from the storm location. Report any lightning started fire to your local fire department.

A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur. This may soon be changed to a Red Flag Warning.

Meanwhile, today is a hot day with highs in the Sierra Nevada ranging from the 80’s to 105. In the central valley, the highs range from 105 to 114 degrees.

Dry breezy conditions will continue through this afternoon in the Sierra.

This heat wave will end tonight.