Lightning, rain descend upon the Central Valley in rare summer storm activity

If you were awake in the early morning hours Wednesday, you might have captured a glimpse of bright flashes dancing across the sky in the Central Valley.

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According to the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Hanford (NWS), a rare summer storm event was producing lightning, rain, 30 MPH wind and even hail in some parts of the south Valley, particularly in Tulare and Kern Counties. The lightning could be seen in Fresno and Madera. 

The NWS reported Doppler radar tracked nickel-sized hail falling in the Weedpatch area south of Bakersfield, and quarter-sized hail in McFarland.

© Provided by KMPH – Fresno-Visalia

Caption: Lighting video loop by Patty Herrera of Diuba

Strong thunderstorm activity was also being reported in the central Los Angeles area, including Long Beach, downtown Los Angeles, Whittier, Carson, Echo Park, Port of Los Angeles, Compton, and Norwalk. San Bernardino and Riverside Counties were also tracking thunderstorm activity with pea-sized hail.

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Lightning in dry conditions caused by ongoing drought may keep firefighters busy. Fresno County firefighters were called to several reports of fires starting in the foothills from lightning strikes. Kern County firefighters reported working to put out brush fires after lightning strikes Wednesday morning.

Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm, and buildings and vehicles can provide safe shelter.

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