Thunderstorm lights up High Desert sky, brings lightning, rain, hail

Dogs barked and ravens scattered as a thunderstorm rolled over Apple Valley on Wednesday night.

Thunder, hail and heavy rain were reported in Apple Valley after 6 p.m., several residents told the Daily Press.

‘We started with a gorgeous sunset, then this massive cloud moved over Apple Valley,” said Katie Renfro, who lives near Town Hall. “It started hailing and the thunder was loud. Then came the lightning and rain.”

Several residents stated that as the thunderstorm approached, their dogs began barking and ran for shelter. Others said they heard groups of ravens cawing and scattering.

Some residents reported hearing the Spring Valley Lake evacuation siren used to clear people off the lake.

Remnants of the spring storm moved into the Victor Valley after it produced about 1,415 total lightning flashes across part of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Diego counties, the National Weather Service reported.

Among the lightning flashes, about 660 reportedly struck the ground on Monday, according to the NWS.

Rain was expected in Apple Valley and some parts of Adelanto, Hesperia, and Victorville until 9 p.m., the weather service said.

Partially cloudy skies and temperatures ranging from 45 to 72 is expected on Thursday in the Victor Valley.

Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at 760-951-6227 or RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DP_ReneDeLaCruz

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Thunderstorm lights up High Desert sky, brings lightning, rain, hail