Coastal lightning causes brief closure of Huntington Beach Pier and beaches – Orange County Register

Coastal lightning caused temporary closures of the pier and beaches in Huntington Beach on Tuesday evening, Oct. 11, officials said.

The closures were announced just before 4:30pm. The pier and beaches reopened at 5:10 p.m., according to the City of Huntington Beach.

From 5:10 p.m. the beach and the pier will be open again. Thank you for your cooperation!

— City of Huntington Beach (@CityofHBPIO) October 12, 2022

The closure occurred as a severe thunderstorm cell moved west along the Orange County coast, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Dan Gregoria. That cell was expected to be the heaviest of the day, but isolated thunderstorms from the east should sweep through the coastal region throughout the evening, Gregoria said.

More thunderstorms were expected in Southern California on Wednesday, Oct. 12, but not as “widespread” as Tuesday’s storms, which Gregoria said ranged from the High Desert and inland mountain ranges to the coast.

In the late afternoon, storms rage over the valleys and coastal areas.

The biggest threat will be lightning, and a small hail could also fall. Remember when thunder goes indoors! #cawx pic.twitter.com/DmOL4E9nJd

— NWS San Diego (@NWSSanDiego) October 11, 2022