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Southern California Storm Produced 40,000 Lightning Bolts Over 24 Hours, NWS Says

The lightning flashes were observed over a 24-hour period that began Sunday

A powerful thunderstorm that whipped up strong winds and dumped rain and hail on parts of Southern California produced nearly 40,000 lightning strikes, according to the National Weather Service.

The agency said Tuesday that the flashes were observed over a 24-hour period starting Sunday morning across Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties.

Forecasters recorded more than 5,000 lightning bolts during a particularly active three-hour span.

A lightining cloud that was seen from around Southern California is captured on camera Saturday Sept. 9, 2017 in Palmdale.

The storm caused by a lingering low-pressure system off the coast continued to produce pockets of rain Monday, but is starting to dissipate.

Rain totals Sunday were generally less than half an inch. Sudden Peak in Santa Barbara County received .44 inches.

Winds topping 35 mph were reported in eastern Los Angeles County.

There is an isolated chance of thunderstorms in mountain and high desert communities Tuesday afternoon.

The unusual weekend of weather included a storm cloud Saturday that could be seen from around Southern California as it flashed lightning. Many residents captured the cloud on camera.  

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Copyright AP - Associated Press
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