Weather
On Sunday, a freak storm dumped dime-sized hail on Sonora Pass, CA for an hour straight, resulting in accumulation that stopped cars. Highway 108 traverses the pass that reaches 9,623 feet in elevation at its highest point.
Severe isolated storms remain in the forecast through Tuesday, but National Weather Service forecaster Chris Johnston says by Wednesday the unsettled weather should calm, reports SF Gate.
What the hail? Stuck for two hours this afternoon on east side of Sonora Pass amid barrage of hail and lightning. Finally forced to retreat. Went from 95 degrees in Bishop to 34 degrees on the pass! @NWSSacramento #cawx pic.twitter.com/m2tMzcpMNW
— Alex Breitler (@alexbreitler) June 17, 2019
Johnston explains that high-pressure ridges usually cover the region in late spring and summer, blocking storms from passing over the region. But over the past week, the ridge in place has been especially weak and shallow, allowing storms to pass through.
