LOS ANGELES (AP) - Officials say a powerful thunderstorm that whipped up strong winds and dumped rain and hail on parts of Southern California produced nearly 40,000 lightning strikes.
The National Weather Service says the flashes were observed over a 24 hour period starting Sunday morning across Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties.
Forecasters recorded more than 5,000 lightning bolts during a particularly active three-hour span.
The storm caused by a lingering low-pressure system off the coast continues to produce pockets of rain Monday, but is starting to dissipate.
Rain totals Sunday were generally less than half an inch. Sudden Peak in Santa Barbara County received .44 inches.
Winds topping 35 mph were reported in eastern Los Angeles County.
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