For the second day in a row, the summer monsoon generated big thunderstorms in East County on Wednesday, sparking at least 82 lightning bolts and producing close to one inch of rain near Mount Laguna, the National Weather Service said.
There also were reports of half-inch-sized hail south of Laguna Lodge on Sunrise Highway. Most of the lightning occurred in the Pine Valley area, near Interstate 8.
Forecasters say that at least one bolt struck the ground in the Sunshine Summit neighborhood between 12:30 p.m. and 1 p.m., very close to where a brush fire broke out. It wasn’t yet clear Wednesday afternoon if the Grove fire had been sparked by lightning.
Moisture from the monsoon also flowed to the coast Wednesday, raising the temperature and humidity. In downtown San Diego, where the Comic-Con convention is getting under way, the temperature hit 81 degrees shortly before 3 p.m.
The monsoon is expected to ease on Thursday, leading to cooler temperatures and reducing the chance of thunderstorms.
