Lightning strikes from rare thunderstorm light up Bay Area sky

At least two dozen lightning strikes jolted the Bay Area sky early Tuesday as a rare strong thunderstorm moved in and dropped some much-need rain.

The strikes were reported in San Mateo County, the San Francisco Bay and along the Pacific Ocean, according to the National Weather Service. Dramatic photos of the lightning display were posted on social media, including Twitter.

Forecasters, meanwhile, warned of gusty, erratic winds, with occasional lightning and some downpours possible throughout the day.

The storm appeared to moving north toward Brentwood on Tuesday morning.

The weather is unusual for this time of year, but not unprecedented.

San Francisco recorded its all-time highest rainfall total of 0.78 inches in August 1976 while California was in the midst of a major, years-long drought, the weather service said.

The rainfall then was probably the result of an active monsoon season, much like this summer.

Here are a couple images of the lightning from Instagram:

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