Historic Tornado Warning in San Francisco
San Francisco residents were startled early Saturday morning by a historic tornado warning during a potent winter storm. The National Weather Service (NWS) issued the alert around 5:51 a.m. PST for parts of downtown San Francisco and northern San Mateo County, valid until 6:15 a.m. This marked the first official tornado warning ever recorded in the city’s history.
According to meteorologist Paul Heggen, the alert was prompted by notable rotation detected on radar, indicating the potential for a tornado to develop, though no tornado has yet been confirmed. Heggen noted, ‘The radar scan at 5:52 a.m. clearly shows a hook echo offshore — that’s the signature we look for to identify a developing tornado.’
📡Radar Update: Impressive cyclonic signature on radar moving across North Bay. The tornado threat has ended. #CAwx
The storm system resulted in extreme weather conditions, including sustained winds reaching up to 60 mph. Additionally, power outages affected over 221,000 residents across Northern and Central California. Social media reacted swiftly, with many sharing their surprise at the alerts that were sent to mobile devices, instructing them to ‘take shelter now.’
As the storm moved on, the NWS confirmed that the warning for San Francisco was lifted by 6:07 a.m. After such occasions, local officials and residents began assessing the extent of damage caused, which included toppled trees and disrupted power lines.
While the tornado warning is no longer in effect, the NWS cautions residents to remain vigilant due to potential isolated severe thunderstorms lingering in the region. Furthermore, a coastal flood advisory is currently active until further notice.
Residents are advised to stay tuned for updates from local news outlets and the NWS, as conditions may continue to evolve throughout the day.
