Fire Weather Watch issued for Solano County, starting Sunday
(Graphic by Solano NewsNet)
The National Weather Service in Sacramento has issued a Fire Weather Watch for all of Solano County, starting Sunday afternoon.
The alert was issued after meteorologists determined a system of monsoonal moisture could trigger thunderstorms with so-called “dry lightning,” or lightning that is not preceded or followed by significant rain.
As of now, forecasters say the best chance of these dry lightning storms is in mountainous terrain from late Sunday into Monday afternoon, though there will be an “isolated potential” for a storm in the Sacramento valley region.
The highest threat from these storms is in Butte County, weather officials said, though where and when dry lightning storms will develop can be hard to predict until moments before they start.
Forecasters say any dry lightning storms that occur have the potential to start wildfires. The weather system is also expected to bring “gusty and erratic wind,” which could help spread any fires that start.
The system is not expected to be as strong as a monsoonal moisture period that brought several thunderstorms last August. Those storms triggered several wildfires in Napa County and elsewhere that ultimately merged into the LNU Lightning Complex wildfire, a portion of which crossed over Napa County into Solano County, destroying hundreds of homes and burning tens of thousands of acres of land.
Forecasters say this monsoonal moisture event is not expected to be as strong: Last year’s system was fueled by the remnants of a tropical storm and strong hurricane, while the closest similar system now is spinning well to the south of California.
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