Lightning Disrupts Metrolink Service

Weather officials reported several lightning strikes in eastern Ventura County on Thursday afternoon, including one that downed a power line and briefly disrupted commuter train service in the area, officials said.

The power line fell across Metrolink train tracks along Los Angeles Avenue in Simi Valley about 4:30 p.m. and delayed service for about 15 minutes, a spokeswoman with Southern California Edison said. She said crews quickly deactivated the line, and electric service in the area was not disrupted.

“There [was] quite a lot of lightning activity in that part of Ventura County,” said Stuart Seto, a weather specialist with the National Weather Service.

He said at least six lightning strikes were reported in the county as an expected thunderstorm did not completely materialize, leaving the county with “bizarre weather patterns” throughout the day, Seto said.

Seto forecast clearing skies and little, if any, rain over the next three to four days.

“The low pressure system causing all this is finally going to clear out,” Seto said. He forecast a partly cloudy and windy day today as “a small warming trend” moved into the area, which is expected to push temperatures into the mid-70s by Saturday.