Dry lightning, wildfires and drought are bursting the weird meteorological bubble that’s insulated Silicon Valley.

Near record-high temperatures and poor air quality threaten health and the power grid for Santa Clara County

For those living on hillsides with low grasslands, the fire risks are not as serious as for those living in densely populated communities near forests, or hillsides of brush and timber.

Beginning at noon, high temperatures pose health risks for children, the elderly and pets.

The rain follows dry winds and high temperatures at the start of the week that helped spark fires around the region.

Parts of the Bay Area, including Santa Clara County, are at risk of power outages and increased fire danger this week.

Forecasters expect the smoke-cooling effect to last for another few days, with highs in the 75-to-80-degree Fahrenheit range.

The latest news about the SCU and CZU fire complexes surrounding Santa Clara County, where some evacuation orders remain in effect.

Forecasters warned of dry lightning, but the storms that materialized before dawn today were stronger and wetter than anticipated. 

Authorities are warning residents of scorching temperatures approaching in Santa Clara County, continuing well into next week.

The water district took a combative tone from the start of Wednesday’s meeting to discuss how San Jose found itself underwater.

According to a Santa Clara County memo, not everyone in the mandatory evacuation flood zones actually got the order to leave.