WATCH LIVE: Track lightning strikes on Live Doppler 7
As you can see in the video player above, we slowed down the clips so you can see the bolts.
Many people around the region were woken up by the thunder and are staying up to watch the lightning.
This rare thunderstorm comes as the Bay Area braces for another day of intense, record-breaking heat after more rolling power outages affect hundreds of thousands of people.
Lightning strikes started Saturday in San Luis Obispo, moving up overnight. There's moisture associated with this, not just dry lightning.
VIDEO: Rare thunderstorms hit Bay Area, with lightning filling the sky amid heat wave
According to CAL FIRE there are many fires sparked by lightning strikes.
And the storm is causing power outages as well.
At one point early Sunday morning, more than 200 lightning strikes occurred in less than 30 minutes across the Bay Area.
Wind close to 50 miles per hour were seen as these storms rolled through.
A Red Flag Warning has been issued until 11 a.m. Monday for the threat of new wildfires starting because of these frequent lightning strikes.
Watch the latest AccuWeather forecast and take a look at recent weather stories and videos.
What an incredible way to start the day - here's a look at a #lightning strike off the #Pacifica coast. Latest here: https://t.co/fpiVSE1VMB #thunderstorm pic.twitter.com/l8Jj3M2N8O
— LiveDoppler7 (@LiveDoppler7) August 16, 2020
The noise of the wind woke up and then came this spectacular lightning display over San Francisco. pic.twitter.com/10JQkxYDHh
— Juan Carlos Guerrero (@JuanCarlosABC7) August 16, 2020
This lightning will not be stopping anytime soon. We have more thunderstorms developing over the ocean right now that are moving their way into the Bay Area. We have several more hours to go. pic.twitter.com/v2Dc0zqxxd
— Drew Tuma (@DrewTumaABC7) August 16, 2020
Major lightning this morning in #hayward, #redwoodcity #milpitas with rain. Still hot, partly cloudy today; 78-104. #REDFLAGWARNING ,EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING pic.twitter.com/1jRO0Jj2A7
— Lisa Argen (@LisaArgenABC7) August 16, 2020
Drew you might like these from 4-5 am this am pic.twitter.com/53oJIDmMIz
— David Price Weldy (@DavidPriceWeldy) August 16, 2020
New Severe Thunderstorm Warning until 6:45am for much of the Bay Area. Frequent lightning and strong winds continue. https://t.co/h1wjmSESmT
— Drew Tuma (@DrewTumaABC7) August 16, 2020
The North Bay getting hit the hardest with lightning right now along with the South Bay and East Bay Hills. 200+ strikes in the last 30 minutes pic.twitter.com/CQousCGw9i
— Drew Tuma (@DrewTumaABC7) August 16, 2020
More thunderstorms developing off the coast right now, likely setting the stage for another round of lightning to move into the Bay Area soon. pic.twitter.com/ipZ9b1gkel
— Drew Tuma (@DrewTumaABC7) August 16, 2020
— NGEORGE (@thisrealm) August 16, 2020
Time to interrupt your sleep to check out this lightning!!!! pic.twitter.com/FgSQ2sfeZX
— Lisa Argen (@LisaArgenABC7) August 16, 2020
Anyone else in the #DalyCity #Pacifica area get woken up by the thunder & lightning? #LightningInDalyCity #abc7now
— Lilian Peña (@LiLPeN43) August 16, 2020
cc: @XikoSuave777 pic.twitter.com/2lppnmyKhT
Thunder, lightning & rain on the #BayArea coast. I’d heard @DrewTumaABC7 say it on his forecast yesterday. @abc7newsbayarea #abc7news #DalyCity pic.twitter.com/DZx8SQ3wOp
— Lilian Peña (@LiLPeN43) August 16, 2020
