Mid-May Storm Brings Half-Inch-Sized Hail, Snow to Northern California
The unseasonable mid-May storm that descended on Northern California Monday brought with it some rain, winds and high-elevation snow. But it was the half-inch-sized hail that shocked residents, falling hard late Monday afternoon.
It was around 6 pm that hail began to fall on NorCal and the brunt of it was seen in Chico. The National Weather Service reported the hail on Monday evening along with lightning and torrential downpours.
A strong thunderstorm has popped up east of Highway 99. The cell continues to track northward with the potential for half inch sized hail, gusty winds, lightning, and torrential downpours. #CAwx pic.twitter.com/kSy2ijzHYc
— NWS Sacramento (@NWSSacramento) May 19, 2020
But it was the residents of NorCal, from Chico to the Sacramento area, that were showing the giant hail that was slamming the North State. Let’s the see the vicious hail in action:
Quarter to half inch hail in near Chico Northern California this evening! @NWSSacramento @ButteWxSpotter @kcraFinan pic.twitter.com/TB8GUWFxXo
— Ryan Schohr (@RyanSchohr) May 19, 2020
@kcraFinan #hailstorm #wilton pic.twitter.com/yEdMl1L5xw
— Karl Weisker (@KarlWeisker) May 19, 2020
Gold River, CA @kcranews @kcraFinan @KCRAEdieLambert @KCRALuery pic.twitter.com/yqqTjqlW7p
— Mackenzie Koppert (@Mac_KenzieK) May 19, 2020
Thunderstorm over #Visalia #CaWX pic.twitter.com/KHhMb6mpHc
— Tiburcio Alvarado (@geosauce1) May 18, 2020
Meanwhile, Tahoe received its fair share of snowfall today, dropping nearly a foot of snow on high-elevation destinations in the Sierra and bringing chain controls to the main highways.:
It appears to be winter once again in the Sierra. Current conditions on I-80 WB at the South Yuba River (around 6,000 elevation). Drive safe and slow down for the weather conditions. pic.twitter.com/WgBuUEv5gq
— Caltrans District 3 (@CaltransDist3) May 18, 2020
Sierra at tahoe before it snowed more on top of it. Guess 6â€+ pic.twitter.com/o3dusn5QHc
— Andrew Bray (@mtnwallaby) May 19, 2020
The storm is expected to continue through Tuesday morning, before making way to beautiful spring weather for the rest of the week. Enjoy the rare May showers, NorCal!
