Southern California storm brings 40,000 lightning bolts

Officials say a powerful thunderstorm that whipped up strong winds and dumped rain and hail on parts of Southern California produced nearly 40,000 lightning strikes.|
ASSOCIATED PRESS
BY ASSOCIATED PRESS

LOS ANGELES - Officials say a powerful thunderstorm that whipped up strong winds and dumped rain and hail on parts of Southern California produced nearly 40,000 lightning strikes.

The National Weather Service says the flashes were observed over a 24 hour period starting Sunday morning across Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties.

Forecasters recorded more than 5,000 lightning bolts during a particularly active three-hour span.

The storm caused by a lingering low-pressure system off the coast continues to produce pockets of rain Monday, but is starting to dissipate.

Rain totals Sunday were generally less than half an inch. Sudden Peak in Santa Barbara County received .44 inches.

Winds topping 35 mph were reported in eastern Los Angeles County.

UPDATED: Please read and follow our commenting policy:
  • This is a family newspaper, please use a kind and respectful tone.
  • No profanity, hate speech or personal attacks. No off-topic remarks.
  • No disinformation about current events.
  • We will remove any comments — or commenters — that do not follow this commenting policy.
Send a letter to the editor