Incoming West Coast Storm Will Bring Hail and Wind to California and the Southwest

A storm spinning at a high altitude will usher in gusty thunderstorms to California this weekend before moving into the Desert Southwest and interior portions of the West early next week. Here is a look at the storm system that is threatening to wreak havoc on outdoor plans over the next few days for millions in the western U.S.

High-Level Storm Taking Aim at California, Interior West, and the Southwest

A new weather maker originating in the Pacific will raise the threat of small hail, gusty winds, and rain for California and the southwestern U.S. in the days ahead. This storm differs from most systems due to its location high in the atmosphere. While most low-pressure systems capable of generating rain and snow are found in the lower levels of the atmosphere, there are times when these precipitation-producing events circulate up to 50,000 feet above ground level.

The latest forecast models signal that rain showers and thunderstorms will make their way into northwestern California late Saturday afternoon and into the overnight hours. The natural daytime heating will provide fuel for the developing storm. Thunderstorms that fire up during the afternoon and early evening hours will be capable of producing brief times of heavy rain, high winds, and hail the size of marbles. There is also an outside chance that isolated tornadoes could spin up in the strongest storm cells.

The majority of the rain and storms will train over northern and central portions of California and into Nevada and Utah on Sunday and Monday. The line of storms will creep as far north as Medford, Oregon, on Sunday. This city in the southern part of the state is bracing for scattered rain showers and thunderstorms during the afternoon hours, becoming more intense and widespread in the evening hours. Highs in the upper 70s will slide into the mid 50s after the sun goes down.