First Tornado Warning Ever In San Francisco Issued Saturday

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 since the National Weather Service began operating in the area.

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. The tornado has not been confirmed but has not been ruled out yet either.

Downed trees have been reported around San Francisco and along the coast in Central and Northern California due to gusty winds embedded in the squall line which produced the tornado warning. The San Francisco airport recorded a gust of 83 mph!

The Storm Prediction Center has issued a marginal risk for damaging winds overnight, before upgrading and including a risk for tornadoes about an hour before the warning was issued. For more on the current storm forecast, tune in at :50 past the hour or head here for more information.