Thunder, Hail, Rain Forecast for Sierra

The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning for north central Nevada County, Placer County, and Sierra County through 3:15 p.m Wednesday.

Doppler radar indicated a severe thunderstorm capable of producing quarter-size hail and winds in excess of 60 mph.  The storm was near Donner Peak and Soda Springs moving north at 15 mph.

The weather service says thunderstorms are expected on both sides of the Sierra and in the foothills through the evening and overnight.  

“Some of the these storms will be possibly severe, which means hail of one inch or more, strong winds, and we’re also expecting heavy rains with some of these storms,” says NWS Meteorologist Stefanie Henry in the Sacramento office.

The National Weather Service has a flash flood watch for western and northern Nevada

Henry says there the low pressure system causing the instability is likely to have moved out of the area by Friday.  She says thunderstorm activity will decrease tomorrow and should be gone by the weekend.