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The heavens flashed, we watched in awe: dry lightning puts on a show

Sunday's temperature in West Vancouver reached 33° followed by stunning rain-less lightning storm.
Martha Perkins
lightning

The streets were dry but the heavens were arguing.

Sunday night’s lightning storm was mesmerizing for two reasons — we don’t get many lightning storms, period, and when the skies flash with electrical currents, it’s usually pouring buckets at the same time.

Bright flashes of lightning rivalled any fireworks show on August 16. Seconds after the night sky erupted in white light, a deep rumbling of far-off thunder could also be heard. But the third element of a summer storm triumvirate — rain — was noticeably absent.

Dry lightning is caused by hot temperatures causing the rain to evaporate before it hits the ground. On Sunday, West Vancouver reached 33.3° at 4 p.m.

Here’s a compilation of some of the most stunning lightning photos in the Lower Mainland gathered by Vancouver Is Awesome.

 

As much as lightning is of great concern as a cause of forest fires during the dry month of August, humans still pose much of a danger. On August 15, the B.C. Forest Service website says, there was one new fire caused by lightning and one new fire caused by humans in the Coastal Region.

Lightning strikes account for more than half of the 24 active forest fires in British Columbia, 10 of which were started in the past two days.

The summer storm capped a day of intense heat throughout the Lower Mainland. There will be a bit of a respite early this week but weather conditions are prompting Metro Vancouver to issue an air quality advisory for eastern parts of Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley.

High levels of ground-level ozone can cause breathing difficulties, especially between mid-afternoon and evening when it’s best to avoid strenuous activities.

Environment Canada says to expect highs of 25° on Monday and Tuesday. There will be a slight dip to 24° on Wednesday before rain is expected to return on Thursday.

 

 

Martha Perkins is the North Shore News’ Indigenous and civic affairs reporter. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.