First Tornado Warning on Record in San Francisco Issued Saturday

news image
Top Stories
16 Dec 2024 9:00 AM

UPDATE

Storm survey crews determined the damage during this Tornado Warning was caused by straight-line winds and not a tornado.


Residents in San Francisco had a rude awakening Saturday morning, thanks to the first ever tornado warning issued in the county and city. Tornado warnings have been issued just south in San Mateo county previously, but for San Francisco proper, this was a first on record.

The warning was issued right around 6 AM PST as a line of strong thunderstorms approached the coast. Rotation was evident on radar (above), potentially producing a waterspout offshore, before the area of rotation moved into San Francisco county, apparently just south of the Golden Gate Bridge.

The area of rotation tracked along the north side of San Francisco near the 101 and the Marina District, before dissipating in the Bay.

Another round of storms later in the day produced a tornado near Santa Cruz, causing damage.

More active weather is on the way for California next week and that could bring more heavy rain, snow and strong winds to the Golden State.

All Weather News
More
Severe Threat Marches East

Severe Threat Marches East

UPPER MIDWEST - Through Monday, dangerous tor

29 Jul 2026 2:00 AM
Flooding Risk Increases as Heavy Rain Targets the Tri-State Area

Flooding Risk Increases as Heavy Rain Targets the Tri-State Area

TRI-STATE AREA - Along with the threat of sev

29 Jul 2026 2:00 AM
Tropics: Fausto Heads towards Hawaii; Genevieve a Major Hurricane

Tropics: Fausto Heads towards Hawaii; Genevieve a Major Hurricane

PacificTropical Storm Fausto continues to tra

29 Jul 2026 1:35 AM
Fire Weather Continues This Week

Fire Weather Continues This Week

Conditions have been really dry out west. We'

29 Jul 2026 1:15 AM
Over 120 Million Under Heat Alerts

Over 120 Million Under Heat Alerts

An area of high pressure continues to bring t

28 Jul 2026 11:15 PM
Southeast Flood Risk Lingers Near Stalled Front

Southeast Flood Risk Lingers Near Stalled Front

A stalled boundary over the Southeast will ke

25 Jul 2026 10:55 AM
Another Round of Storms Targets the Northeast

Another Round of Storms Targets the Northeast

Tuesday brought severe weather again across p

23 Jul 2026 1:15 AM