A powerful lightning storm illuminated skies across parts of San Diego County late Thursday night, prompting the National Weather Service (NWS) to issue a severe thunderstorm warning for portions of the region.
Residents captured dramatic videos of frequent lightning flashes stretching across the night sky, with many sharing the spectacle on social media. One of the most-viewed recordings, filmed from Shelter Island, features a continuous 43-minute view of the storm as repeated bursts of lightning brightened the horizon.
Quick Guide
- Location: San Diego County, California
- Storm Detected: 10:36 p.m. PDT Thursday
- Storm Movement: West at approximately 20 mph
- Potential Hazards: Frequent lightning, Wind gusts up to 50 mph, Hail up to 0.5 inches in diameter
- Warning Duration: Until 11:15 p.m. PDT
Severe Thunderstorm Tracked Near Interstate 8
According to the National Weather Service, Doppler radar detected a strong thunderstorm at approximately 10:36 p.m. PDT near Interstate 8, between Boulevard and the Imperial County line. Meteorologists reported the storm moving west at roughly 20 mph.
While the lightning display attracted attention across the county, forecasters warned that the storm also posed potential hazards to residents in its path.
Hail and Strong Wind Gusts Possible
The National Weather Service said the strongest parts of the storm were capable of producing:
Uncut: Lightning over San Diego from Shelter Island pic.twitter.com/tzplOpUxou
— San Diego Web Cam (@SanDiegoWebCam) August 7, 2026
- Marble-sized hail measuring up to 0.5 inches
- Wind gusts reaching 50 mph
- Frequent cloud-to-ground lightning
Officials urged anyone outdoors to seek shelter inside a sturdy building until the storm moved through, emphasizing that lightning can strike several miles away from the center of a thunderstorm.
Thunderstorm Warning Expired Late Thursday
The severe thunderstorm warning remained in effect until 11:15 p.m. PDT Thursday. As the system continued moving west, conditions gradually improved across the affected areas.
Although the warning has expired, weather experts encourage Southern California residents to continue monitoring local forecasts during periods of unstable weather, as thunderstorms can develop quickly and produce dangerous lightning, gusty winds, and isolated hail.