A powerful lightning storm lit up the skies over parts of San Diego County late Thursday. The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning for the area. Videos shared on social media showed repeated lightning flashes across the night sky.
Doppler radar detected a strong thunderstorm at 10:36 pm PDT. The storm formed near Interstate 8 between Boulevard and the Imperial County line. It moved west at around 20 mph.
The National Weather Service warned that the strongest storms could produce marble-sized hail up to 0.5 inches. Wind gusts could also reach 50 mph. Therefore, officials urged people outdoors to seek shelter inside sturdy buildings until the storms passed.
The alert remained in effect until 11:15 pm PDT. Meteorologists noted that gusty winds could bring down tree limbs and move unsecured outdoor objects. Minor damage to vegetation from hail was also possible.
The warning covered several communities in eastern San Diego County. These included Boulevard, Campo, Jacumba, Live Oak Springs, Tierra del Sol, and southern Mount Laguna. Portions of the La Posta, Campo, and Manzanita Indian Reservations also fell under the advisory. In addition, parts of Highway S2 and Interstate 8 were included.
Videos posted on social media captured frequent lightning strikes across the region. Some clips showed multiple bolts illuminating mountain ridges and desert landscapes. Continuous lightning was also recorded from the Imperial Valley looking west toward the San Diego County mountains.
Meteorologist Chris Nunley reported that storms had begun developing over the Southern California Mountains on Thursday afternoon. Radar images confirmed the building activity earlier in the day.
Safety remains important during such storms. People should move indoors when skies darken and thunder is heard. Once inside, they should avoid contact with windows, doors, electrical equipment, corded phones, and plumbing. Experts also recommend waiting at least 30 minutes after the last lightning strike before going outside again.
If indoor shelter is unavailable, people should stay away from open fields, hilltops, and ridge lines. They should also avoid tall isolated trees and lone structures. In forested areas, shorter groups of trees offer better protection. Campers in open areas should move to lower ground such as a valley or ravine rather than remaining in tents. Keeping distance from metal objects and water further reduces risk.