Thunder ,Lightning Over SM Bay

 

October 14, 2021

Lightning over the Pier by SMPD Community Services Officer Edward Burns via Facebook

By David Ganezer, photo by SMPD CSO Edward Burns

10/4 The day grew dark very quickly, and no rain had been predicted by the National Weather Service as late as 2 pm.

Santa Monica was treated to a rare thunder and lightning display on Monday afternoon around the 5 PM hour. Men walking dogs and women with baby strollers scrambled to get out of the sudden rain in my neighborhood.

Southern California is, of course, in a drought situation. Less than 6.5 inches of precipitation have fallen over the region, which receives 14.25 inches of rain in a typical year.

The day grew dark very quickly, and no rain had been predicted by the National Weather Service as late as 2 pm. The rain continued for over an hour after the 4:30 pm start. Thunder and lightning continued well into the evening hours.

The City issued an alert for thunderstorms at 4:30 pm. "Lightning Alert: A thunderstorm with lightning has been reported in #SantaMonica. Please evacuate all ocean and beach/sand areas. If on the beach or on the Santa Monica Pier, seek shelter indoors until the storm has ended. #SMAlert"

The beach was cleared of surfers and evening beachgoers. In 2005, two surfers were struck by lightning on Venice Beach. One man in his 20's died. A second, one Bob Kilroy, survived but was forever changed by the strike.

 

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