A dramatic nighttime thunderstorm descends upon the Anza Valley in 2018. Anza Valley Outlook/Diane Sieker photo
Summer thunderstorms are on their way to the Anza Valley as monsoonal moisture brings high humidity and volatile weather conditions to the region. These sometimes-violent storms pose risks, including flash flooding and lightning strikes.Residents are urged to stay informed through text alerts, radio public service announcements and social media posts. The National Weather Service regularly issues safety advisories ahead of and during storm events.Monsoon season, which typically begins in early July and lasts through September, has firefighters conducting reconnaissance flights over local mountains to check for wildfires sparked by lightning.The term "monsoon" refers to a seasonal wind shift. As the sun heats the land and the Pacific Ocean at different rates, land areas warm mor
