WEATHER: Thunderstorm Wakes Southwest Riverside County

A thunderstorm that dropped rain over Southwest Riverside County early Monday morning prompted reports of fires, but at press time neither police nor fire are reporting any significant incidents.

The deluge began at approximately 4:30 a.m. As of 5:15 a.m., the National Weather Service reports the storm dropped .09 inches of rain in the Lake Elsinore area.

The extreme weather is expected to subside by 8 a.m. Monday, according to the forecast and will make way for partly sunny skies. Temperatures are expected to reach the mid 90s with higher than normal humidity levels.

Police radio chatter indicated there were reports of small fires sparked by lightning in and around the Lake Elsinore and Wildomar area, however there are no confirmed reports of any significant incidents at press time. Attached is a photo submitted by a resident of palm trees on fire in Lakeland Village off Turner Street.

The weather did prompt a flash flood warning for central Riverside County. Residents throughout the county are advised that recently burned areas may be more heavily impacted by flash flooding.