Major Thunderstorm Outbreak Expected in California This Week

California is bracing for a significant thunderstorm outbreak expected later this week, with potential impacts from the remnants of Tropical Storm Mario. Weather experts are warning residents as conditions could lead to both heavy rainfall and dry lightning in different regions.

This anticipated weather event comes shortly after a series of dry thunderstorms at the start of September, which triggered numerous wildfires across the state. Those storms, particularly intense in the Sierra Nevada foothills, saw dry lightning strikes igniting several blazes, including the notably destructive “6-5 Fire” near Chinese Camp.

Colin McCarthy, an extreme weather chaser, expressed concerns about the upcoming storm setup, noting it could be the most potent for dry lightning since the infamous August 2020 outbreaks. He highlighted this potential on his social media account, predicting significant thunderstorm activity for the Bay Area and Northern California.

Frank Pereira, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center, emphasized that the storms arriving later this week are expected to carry substantial moisture. He stated, “With that moisture, there is the increasing chance for showers and thunderstorms later this week across that area.” This moisture might help mitigate the dry lightning risk typically associated with such thunderstorms.

While some areas will still face the threat of dry thunderstorms, especially in Northern California, the presence of moisture could shift many storms towards becoming wet, reducing the likelihood of igniting wildfires. Pereira noted this change as a significant factor, saying, “The greater threat is there will be heavy rainfall amounts that could result in some localized flooding concerns.”n

As of now, ongoing wildfires sparked by previous lightning strikes have burned thousands of acres, including a fire in Siskiyou County that has charred over 3,600 acres since late August. Residents in the impacted areas should monitor local forecasts closely as the storms approach.

According to the U.S. Forest Service, lightning is responsible for about 20% of wildfires, with human actions accounting for the majority of causes. With the new storms on the horizon, forecasters highlight the importance of caution and preparedness for changing weather conditions.