California to see dry lightning this weekend, bringing extreme fire risk to mountains

A historic early July heat wave has left California’s landscape parched, contributing to a fast start to the fire season. But fire conditions are likely to deteriorate even further this weekend with dry lightning in the forecast, especially across the Sierra Nevada, including Lake Tahoe and Yosemite Valley.

Thunderstorm chances increase in the higher elevations of Central and Southern California on Friday as a surge of monsoon moisture pushes into the state. Saturday will likely feature the most widespread thunder and lightning across the Sierra. The threat is expected to continue Sunday before waning Monday.

The thunderstorms will likely be of the dry variety, producing little to no precipitation.

SNIP

Odds are highest that thunderstorms will pop up in the Sierra, southern Cascades, San Gabriel and San Bernardino mountains and Antelope Valley. However, a stray lightning strike or two cannot be ruled out in the Central Valley, Diablo Range and coastal mountains. Dry lightning is unlikely near the Bay Area this weekend.

Full story (paywall): https://www.sfchronicle.com/weather/article/california-lightning-thunderstorm-fire-19566112.php