SAN FRANCISCO—On Monday, August 19, the thunderstorm forecast prompted a Bay Area fire danger warning. A chance of dry lightning hitting the Bay Area on Sunday and Monday propelled the National Weather Service to issue a red flag warning.
The low-pressure front moved into the region as early as Sunday afternoon, which brought showers, isolated thunderstorms and dry lightning all the way through Tuesday. Lightning strikes combined with extremely dry conditions can make it easier for a fire to start. The warning was for the North and East Bay’s across San Mateo County, to the Santa Cruz Mountains.
Even with a 20 to 30 percent chance of rain there’s little chance of the rain hitting the surface. Additional firefighters were placed on duty during the heightened fire danger. The red flag warning went into effect at midnight Sunday and will remain in effect until noon on Tuesday.
By Luis Cuevas
