California could be at risk of dry lightning fires as a “major thunderstorm outbreak” is expected to hit the Golden State later this week.
Why It Matters
Summer is peak wildfire season for California, as the presence of dry fuels and gusty winds can quickly exacerbate any sparks that ignite into full-blown wildfires.
Lightning is one of the natural causes of wildfires. According to the National Interagency Fire Center, lightning caused 304 wildfires in California in 2024. In 2023, lightning strikes started 644 wildfires in California.
What to Know
On Sunday night, extreme weather chaser Colin McCarthy shared his concerns on X.
“Major thunderstorm outbreak likely later this week in California,” he wrote in the post. “This is looking the most potent setup for a dry lightning outbreak in the Bay Area and Northern California since the August 2020 dry lightning siege.”…