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Chance Of Thunderstorms Through Midweek

By RIMOFTHEWORLD.net
Monday, July 9, 2007

Monsoonal moisture will flow into the area this afternoon through at least Wednesday and cause isolated thunderstorms to develop across the mountains and foothills. While the increase in humidity and cooler weather will slightly inhibit the fire danger in areas without thunderstorms, gusty winds and lightning will increase the danger in other areas. The greatest threat for thunderstorms will be today and Tuesday afternoon.

Any thunderstorms that develop are expected to move slowly. This could produced localized periods of heavy rain producing runoff near the thunderstorm and downstream from the storm. Motorists, residents, and vacationers should be prepared for the possibility of localized street and small stream flooding, as well as small rock or debris slides. Hikers should be careful for rapidly rising creeks or the possibility of runoff flowing though otherwise dry creek beds.

The increase in fire danger, especially with strong wind gusts, could aggravate otherwise small brush fires. A small brush fire in the Lucerne Valley was whipped up to nearly 400 acres last Thursday after gusty winds from a developing thunderstorm fanned the flames.