Freak Storm Cells Convey Uncommon Spring Rain, Even Hail to North and East Bay – CBS San Francisco

ST. HELENA (CBS SF) – Parts of the North and East Bays were taken by surprise on Thursday in May when a storm cell caused brief rainfall with heavy rain and even hail in some areas.

The unusual weather comes on the same day that some of these areas have been designated as regions of exceptional drought.

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Isolated showers were observed in North Bay today, most of which evaporate before hitting the ground. Some spots reported moderate, if brief, showers near the surface. Here is a quick view of the end of these showers as they move parallel to SF. #CaWx pic.twitter.com/QAHPOCt5Ju

– NWS Bay Area (@NWSBayArea) May 20, 2021

Dark clouds swept down from North Bay starting Thursday afternoon, bringing showers to parts of Napa County before moving south to Danville, Walnut Creek, Concord and Martinez.

And as one would expect with unusual showers, a rainbow could be seen in the East Bay.

@NWSBayArea rainbow alert! A rainbow was spotted via @ AlertWildfire cameras around Concord #CAwx #Rainbow pic.twitter.com/YyyjqW0EGZ

– Abby Leonard (@ AbbyLeo18500209) May 21, 2021

While one of these areas of the showers dissolved as it moved over San Ramon in the early evening, a second cell around 6 p.m. provided more showers in Wine County

At one point, the cell over St. Helena caused a lightning strike in addition to previous hailstones even early Thursday evening.

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Hail in St. Helena @NWSBayArea pic.twitter.com/P7foToMxj1

– Spencer Handly (@HandlySpencer) May 21, 2021

While the storm cells were expected to largely fall apart at sunset over the next few hours, the chances are some more showers will appear in North Bay on Friday.

In the meantime, the unusual weather wasn’t just happening in the immediate Bay Area.

Tonya Daugherty was visiting Truckee from North Carolina on Thursday. She hadn’t expected snow on her trip to the Sierra.

“Nobody at home will believe that,” she said.

A Sierra storm in late spring surprised even the locals. Truckee residents heard of the winter storm recommendation but didn’t expect there would be snow flurries or a winter wonderland in late May.

“I’m used to the snow, but I’m not used to the snow when it is almost summer,” said Mike Lake.

“Usually the weather is really nice this time of year, but I think it just chose to fall on us by accident,” said Talia Moore.

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But not everyone was surprised. Scott Lee says he saw snow fall in the Sierra well into summer.