Experts predict a Nevada summer of lightning

RENO -- Experts fear Nevada could be in for a summer filled with fire-sparking lightning.

Last year was relatively quiet when it comes to thunderstorms, thanks to El Nino, a weather phenomenon that pushed storms to the east.

But Fred Svetz, a meteorologist with the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, said El Nino is waning.

"Lightning certainly looks like it's returning to its normal patterns," Svetz said Thursday.

Adding to the fire threat is the proliferation of weeds and grasses that flourished during an unusually wet April.

"Once that grass dries out a little more, these fires could get much larger," he said.