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Northern California experienced a record-breaking lightning storm on Friday, with 18,833 lightning strikes recorded in a single day. According to the National Interagency Fire Center, this event set a new single-day record for the region, which stretches from Santa Cruz to South Lake Tahoe and up to the Oregon border. The lightning was primarily concentrated in the Sierra Nevada, southern Cascade Mountains, Klamath Mountains, and Trinity Alps, though some storms reached the northern Sacramento Valley in the evening.
The unusual weather pattern, characterized by persistent low-pressure systems off the California coast, is expected to continue, bringing more thunderstorms throughout the week. Meteorologist Brett Lutz from the Bureau of Land Management noted that this pattern has contributed to an abnormally cool start to summer in the Bay Area. Despite the high number of strikes, Cal Fire reported that none of the resulting wildfires were burning out of control as of Tuesday.
The National Weather Service has issued red flag warnings across Northern California and Southern Oregon due to the increased risk of wildfires from the lightning strikes. Gigi Giralte, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Reno, stated that the storms are expected to be wetter than usual, which may help mitigate some fire risks. However, with relative humidity as low as 30% in some areas, the potential for fire ignitions remains high.
As the stormy pattern continues, the National Interagency Fire Center warns that more lightning strikes could occur, potentially causing additional wildfires. The center has tracked thousands of fires in California caused by natural events like lightning, emphasizing the importance of preparedness and rapid response to prevent significant damage.