A severe thunderstorm warning lit up phones across parts of Colusa and Sutter counties Wednesday evening, as radar showed storms capable of dropping quarter-size hail and kicking up gusty winds strong enough to ding vehicles. The storm cells crawled northeast through rural stretches of the northern Sacramento Valley, bearing down on small towns and farmland. Drivers were told to brace for sudden heavy rain, lousy visibility and the occasional flying branch.
NWS Issues Severe Thunderstorm Warning
The National Weather Service in Sacramento issued the warning at 6:23 p.m. PDT and said it would remain in effect into the early evening hours. At 6:22 p.m., forecasters reported a severe thunderstorm over Sycamore, about 17 miles southeast of Maxwell, moving northeast at roughly 10 mph. The hazard was listed as quarter-size hail with vehicle damage expected, according to the National Weather Service in Sacramento. The advisory pulled no punches, telling residents to “move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building” while the storm rolled through.
Where The Storm Was Heading
Local reporting noted the warning covered parts of Colusa and Sutter counties and listed communities inside the NWS polygon, including Colusa, Sycamore, Meridian, Williams and Sutter, along with the nearby Colusa National Wildlife Refuge, as outlined by The Sacramento Bee. The Bee’s update echoed the NWS callout for quarter-size hail and flagged rural roads and farm operations in the path as particularly vulnerable. Local officials urged residents to tie down or bring in loose outdoor items and to avoid driving through hail if they could help it.
Safety Tips For Lightning And Wet Roads
Lightning is not just a dramatic backdrop for your weather app. The National Weather Service says strikes hit the U.S. roughly 25 million times a year and cause about 20 deaths annually, a reminder to get into a sturdy building rather than trying to ride it out on the porch, according to the National Weather Service. If you do have to drive, avoid standing water and slow down, since hydroplaning happens when a thin layer of water lifts your tires off the pavement. The California DMV advises easing off the accelerator and letting the vehicle gradually slow until the tires grab the road again instead of slamming on the brakes. The DMV also recommends checking tire tread and pressure, leaving extra space between cars, and postponing any trips that can wait until the worst of the weather moves on.
Road crews and local emergency agencies may post updates about closures or hazards, so keep an eye on official alerts and channels for the latest. This story will be updated if authorities release more details about damage or road restrictions related to the storm.
