3/3/09 NOW: California

[B. Kotcher]

There is a discrete thunderstorm moving directly toward the Golden Gate Bridge that the National Weather Service is reporting has rotation and could "produce sudden waterspouts." At its present course and speed it should be at the Golden Gate Bridge around 3:15 to 3:30 PST.

--Bob

 

[B. Kotcher]

A second cell has been similarly warned...it is about twenty miles north, approaching the shore near Point Reyes. Additional discrete cells are forming behind these two.

 

[Jason Caster]

I was curious if anyone else was watching this. A marine warning was issued around 12pm PST and has remained on the initial cell for the remainder of the afternoon. SPC indicated a 2% possibility for a tornado in the Sacramento Valley today.

If I weren't working I'd have made the 5 hour jaunt to the area.

 

[B. Kotcher]

The warning has been extended into the Golden Gate! Here's a page of live cameras in the area:

http://cbs5.com/webcams/26.567212.html?wmid=29

The "Golden Gate Bridge" one faces north--the cell is approaching from the left.

The "Ocean Beach" one is about two miles south of the Golden Gate Bridge and is facing south--the cell is approaching from the right.

--Bob

 

[B. Kotcher]

Radar showed the cell suddenly weakening just in front of the bridge. On the live bridge cam I saw a dark but relatively high cloud base going by just north of the bridge, but no signs of a funnel or rotation, though the view was limited. No reports by the NWS of funnels or waterspouts. Oh well, this is our excitement for the year in California.