Dry Thunderstorms? South Bay Faces Fire Weather Watch Thursday, Friday

SOUTH BAY, CA — The eastern half of Santa Clara County is slated to be under a fire weather watch from 5 p.m. Thursday to 11 a.m. Friday amid a spell of dry and windy weather in the Bay Area.

There is a slight chance of dry lightning, which could spark wildfire if it hits close to the ground, the National Weather Service said in its Wednesday morning forecast. If that happens, the North Bay would likely be hit first before the thunderstorm moves to the East Bay.

The possibility of lightning is particularly of concern since California is in the midst of its driest year ever, according to The Weather Channel. Any fires sparked could quickly spread given current conditions, the National Weather Service said.

Monsoonal moisture will begin to move into the area an increase the chances for thunderstorms in the North Bay starting Thursday afternoon. Storms that initiate will then transition over to the East Bay through Friday morning. #CaWx #Cafire #WeatherAware #FireWx pic.twitter.com/Jv92x6uWHT
— NWS Bay Area (@NWSBayArea) September 8, 2021

Higher elevations, where vegetation is drier, would be especially vulnerable to wildfire, the weather service said.

Part or all of Marin, Sonoma, Napa, Solano, Contra Costa, Alameda and Santa Clara counties are affected by the fire weather watch. Areas of concern include the North Bay mountains and valleys, the East Bay hills and valleys, and the Diablo mountain range, according to the weather service.

Slightly cooler weather is expected later in the week, according to the weather service. The weather system is projected to begin heading eastward by Friday morning.

See a map of the fire weather watch area.

A fire weather watch has been issued for 5pm Thursday, September 9th through 11am Friday, September 10th for the North Bay Mountains and Valleys, East Bay Hills, and Diablo Range. Follow along for more updates and stay #WeatherAware. #NWSBayArea #CAwx #Firewx #BayArea pic.twitter.com/3DLgBMxgsB
— NWS Bay Area (@NWSBayArea) September 8, 2021