San Francisco tornado warning/ severe weather in Bay Area/ NWS alerts/ Daly City radar rotation/ Bay Area flood advisory/ SAN FRANCISCO/ Newslooks/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ San Francisco and San Mateo counties faced a tornado warning early Saturday due to severe thunderstorms and winds reaching 60 mph. The National Weather Service urged residents to seek shelter. The warning, which ended at 6:20 a.m., was triggered by radar-detected rotation near Daly City.
San Francisco Tornado Warning: Quick Looks
- Emergency Alert: The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for San Francisco and nearby areas early Saturday.
- Storm Details: Severe thunderstorms with 60 mph wind gusts and radar-indicated rotation triggered the alert.
- Areas Affected: Daly City, Broadmoor, Colma, and Brisbane were advised to stay alert as the storm moved northeast at 45 mph.
- Warning Ends: The tornado warning was lifted by 6:20 a.m., but a flood advisory remains in effect until 7:45 a.m.
Tornado Warning Hits San Francisco Amid Severe Storms, 60 MPH Winds
Deep Look
Early Morning Tornado Warning
Residents in parts of San Francisco and San Mateo counties were startled early Saturday by a tornado warning issued by the National Weather Service (NWS). The advisory, which urged people to seek shelter immediately, was triggered by radar-detected rotation near Daly City. Heavy rains and wind gusts up to 60 mph accompanied the storm, prompting fears of potential tornado formation.
The alert emphasized the need to stay indoors, avoid windows, and seek shelter in a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Those outdoors or in vehicles were advised to move to substantial shelter to avoid flying debris.
Storm Movement and Impact
The system, moving northeast at 45 mph, initially targeted areas including Daly City, Broadmoor, Colma, and Brisbane. A forecast document from NWS noted that the severe thunderstorm near Daly City was “capable of producing a tornado.”
While no confirmed tornado touchdown was reported, a satellite image shared on Reddit suggested a “hook echo,” a radar signature that can indicate tornado formation. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recognizes hook echoes as potential signs of tornado activity.
Warnings and Safety Measures
Residents received mobile alerts cautioning them about the dangers of flying debris, potential damage to roofs and vehicles, and risks to mobile homes. The NWS noted that tree damage was also likely due to the strong winds.
As the storm moved out of the downtown San Francisco area, the tornado warning was officially lifted by 6:20 a.m. However, a flood advisory remained in effect until 7:45 a.m. as heavy rains continued to impact the region.
Tech Integration
As with a recent tsunami warning, Google provided real-time updates by displaying a tornado alert in the upper-right corner of its search pages. The alert disappeared shortly after the NWS ended the warning.
Precautionary Reminders
The incident highlights the importance of being prepared for severe weather events, even in regions like San Francisco that are less prone to tornadoes. Residents are urged to stay informed through reliable weather sources and take emergency alerts seriously.
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