Edhat Staff
Update by the edhat staff
June 1, 2025
A fast-moving thunderstorm that prompted a warning by the National Weather Service (NWS) on Saturday evening resulted in over 2,500 lightning strikes and four small fires, according to the Los Padres National Forest.
Around 5:00 p.m., NWS tracked a severe thunderstorm west of Lockwood Valley that extended west into Highway 33 in Santa Barbara County. The weather agency warned this storm could bring lighting, hail, and 60 mph winds.
The Los Padres National Forest reported the storm hit the southern area of the forest generating over 2,500 lightning strikes and 4 small fires on the southwest Mount Pinos District.
The fires included the 8-acre Corral Fire, 2-acre Round Fire, and the 1/10-acre Highjack Fire, which are all 100% contained as of Sunday evening. The 1/2-acre Burgess Fire is 90% contained.
National Weather Service Issues Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties
Written by the edhat staff
May 31, 2025
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a “Severe Thunderstorm Warning” on Saturday for Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties.
NWS predicts the storm will largely impact northwestern Ventura County and northeastern Santa Barbara County until about 6:00 p.m. Specifically, Western Lockwood Valley, Big Pine Mountain, Highway 33 from Lockwood Valley Road to the Santa Barbara County line, and Ventucopa.
At 5:07 p.m., a severe thunderstorm was located 15 miles west of Lockwood Valley extending westward into Highway 33 and Big Pine Mountain in Santa Barbara County. The severe storm was drifting to the southwest at 5 to 10 mph.
This storm is expected to bring up to 60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail. In addition, there is the threat of localized flash flooding near the core of the storm as well as new fire starts due to dry lightning on the periphery of the storm.
Hail damage to vehicles is expected as well as wind damage to roofs, siding, and trees. NWS states if you are outdoors, to consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Strong thunderstorms over Ventura and Santa Barbara counties:
– Possible large hail up to 1 inch diameter
– Possible downburst winds up to 55 MPH
– Possible new fire starts due to frequent lightning#CAwx #FireWx pic.twitter.com/Ujzbikpw5m— NWS Los Angeles (@NWSLosAngeles) June 1, 2025
Well, that was a disapointment!
I happened to be watching the NWS satellite loop just as it loomed up out of nowhere. Impressive storm!
Wunderground showed several lightning strikes locally in the mountains.
I figure you know of this; it’s what I bring up when I hear thunder.
https://www.lightningmaps.org/#m=oss;t=3;s=0;o=0;b=;ts=0;
Thunder was rumbling for about an hour, loved hearing it, wished some rain would come in this direction. Not quarter-sized hail, though!
That’s was cool yesterday – very unusual for this time of year. No precipitation at our place, I wonder if it rained in the backcountry or Camino Cielo at all. I was wondering if lightening would strike but never saw that either.
The lightening occurred after the cloud passed, and sunlight reappeared.
The lightning strikes were all over the mountains, plus near the mission and Glen Annie Golf Course.
Precipitation at Alisal and Gaviota, plus just less than a quarter inch in the mountains north of Cachuma and toward Maricopa.