Unusual Tornado Risk For Northern CA

[Randy Zipser]

An unusual risk for tornadoes is expected this week in Northern California. The article below from the San Francisco Chronicle discusses the details:

https://www.sfchronicle.com/weather-forecast/article/california-storm-tornado-risk-21259741.php

 

[Luke Penney]

The weather service was so confident in potential tornadoes that it placed San Francisco in a rare marginal risk for severe thunderstorms three days in advance, the first time the agency had done that for the city in at least a decade.

That phrasing is pretty funny to me living in the Midwest.

 

[Randy Zipser]

That phrasing is pretty funny to me living in the Midwest.

Yea, but I guess people in the Midwest would also view earthquakes and wildfires in the same way as Californians view tornadoes!

 

[John Farley]

Yea, but I guess people in the Midwest would also view earthquakes and wildfires in the same way as Californians view tornadoes!

Depends where in the Midwest. Not so much if you live near the New Madrid or Wabash faults.

 

[Randy Zipser]

Merry Christmas everyone! The SPC Storm Reports show no reported tornadoes in CA so far this week, fortunately. However, as of the latest full summary on 12/24/2025, there were 39 wind reports in CA, including 7 reports of high winds (65 kt+) in CA, NV, and AZ. From what I've seen on legacy news media, the biggest problem thus far has been severe flash-flooding all over the West Coast and inland regions. More active weather is still on-the-way there for the rest of this week, however, so these reports are only partial totals. Let's hope for the best for those affected!