Flags wave in the wind as dark clouds pass over Petersburg. Up to 15 lightning strikes were recorded in the area on June 16, 2025. (Hannah Weaver/KFSK)

Lightning lit up the sky with strong winds early this afternoon, June 16, in Petersburg. 

The National Weather Service (NWS) in Juneau recorded up to 15 lightning strikes over Mitkof Island. 

NWS meteorologist Spencer Fielding said thunderstorms and lightning strikes are somewhat uncommon in Southeast Alaska during the summer season. 

“We encourage people to practice good lightning safety,” said Fielding. “Go indoors or get into a vehicle if they do happen to hear lightning or thunder.” 

Fielding said the thunder and lightning were part of a small band of storms passing over the region due to an area of low pressure off the coast.

“They’re just quickly popping up, moving through, and then continuing,” he said. “Needless to say, it’s putting on a show for us here in Southeast.”

Fielding said the chance of lightning will end by this evening as the storm passes over.

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