Rare Bay Area Tornado Warning Was First In 13 Years: NWS

BAY AREA, CA — Despite indications seen on radar and a rare tornado warning for the area, the National Weather Service was unable to confirm that a tornado touched down Saturday in Monterey County.

“We were unable to find damage that would give us a confirmation of a tornado touchdown in spite of strong rotation detected by our radar,” NWS Bay Area wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Sunday evening.

A severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado Saturday triggered the first Bay Area tornado warning since 2011, according to the NWS.

The NWS said “a radar velocity loop” showed a rotating thunderstorm with a possible waterspout in the Monterey Bay area before coming ashore near Moss Landing. Forecasters warned pea-sized hail was possible for the area.

The warning was issued at about 6:16 p.m. for the areas of Watsonville, Hollister and Aromas in Santa Cruz, San Benito and Monterey counties. The warning was later extended to include the Elkhorn, Pajaro, Prunedale, Ridgemark and San Juan Bautista areas of Monterey and San Benito counties.

Forecasters advised residents to take cover, avoid windows and move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. The warning expired at 7 p.m.

“After scouring the area and discussing with the North County Fire Department, the survey crew were unable to find damage that would support a tornado touchdown,” NWS Bay Area said on X. “While survey crews didn’t find any damage, any reports, including pictures or videos are appreciated.”