DDN- Tornadoes were particularly active in December, with San Francisco issuing its first tornado warning in history.
What’s Happening?
Tornado activity was high in 2024.
There were over 1,800 preliminary tornado reports, more than 30% higher than the annual norm. At least 22 people were killed during a Memorial Day weekend storm outbreak that included tornadoes. There were scores of preliminary reports of tornadoes in the South over five days during the Christmas week, with perhaps 30 confirmed. This was a large outbreak of tornadoes in the first month of the meteorological winter.
December also witnessed San Francisco’s first tornado warning. A powerful thunderstorm stormed into the northwest area of the city early on December 14. A tornado was reported near Scotts Valley, approximately 67 miles to the south.
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“Based on video, photos, firsthand accounts, and radar signatures, a tornado occurred [roughly] 1:40 PM,” the Bay Area National Weather Service (NWS) reported later that day on X, now known as Twitter. “Social media reports of overturned cars and tree damage in and around Scotts Valley. “There is also video evidence of a tornado,” the report stated.
A survey party from the Bay Area NWS office later assessed that the storm damage in San Francisco was consistent with straight-line winds rather than tornadic winds. The crew estimated the storm’s peak wind speed as it went through the Richmond District and Golden Gate Park to be around 80 mph. The NWS storm survey crews also found numerous huge trees that had been uprooted or split at the base. The storm also damaged a roof on at least one structure and brought down multiple power cables.
Why is a Tornado Warning in San Francisco Necessary?
According to a Climate Central study, the threat of supercell thunderstorms, which create tornadoes, is increasing drastically in sections of the United States, including areas that do not generally encounter this type of deadly storm. The study also found that circumstances favorable to supercells and tornadoes are moving into previously less active winter months.
One of the necessary conditions for the creation of thunderstorms is atmospheric instability, which results in warm rising air. Meteorologists use “convective available potential energy,” or CAPE, as a measure of instability, and it is expected to rise on our overheating globe, according to Climate Central. More CAPE could result in more stronger storms, causing even more storm-related damage.
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