A severe thunderstorm warning was in effect for San Benito County mid-Sunday afternoon as radar detected a severe thunderstorm capable of producing quarter-sized hail and producing heavy downpours and flash flooding.
When spotted, the storm was located over the county, 28 miles east of Pinnacles National Park and moving east at 5 miles per hour. It remained over mainly rural areas of the county, according to the weather service office in Monterey.
The warning, which was broadcast on local television stations, said, "This is a dangerous storm. If you are in its path, prepare immediately for damaging winds, destructive hail and deadline cloud to ground lightning. People outside should move to a shelter; preferably inside a strong building …"
The warning was cancelled at 3:50 p.m., though the weather service said the storm, at approximately 4:25 p.m. 20 miles southeast of Paicines, could still produce half-inch hail and heavy downpours as the storm moved north at 15 mph.