Chance of weak tornadoes in Bay Area as storm peaks Tuesday: forecasters

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — A powerful winter storm is sweeping from the North Bay south across the San Francisco Bay Area. KRON4 Meteorologist Lawrence Karnow said the “extremely intense storm front” could generate waterspouts or small tornadoes.

Heavy rain poured over the North Bay Tuesday morning before the front moved south. Rain totals are forecasted to range between 2-6 inches in different parts of the Bay. Karnow said San Francisco will be hit by the brunt of the storm on Tuesday afternoon.

The National Weather Service said this week’s atmospheric river is proving to be stronger than initially expected.

“The rain overnight over-performed our expectations. The main band of rain will move very slowly across the rest of the Bay Area today, with increasing intensity as the cold front moves through in the afternoon. This will also bring strong southerly winds and an increasing chance for thunderstorms, especially for areas south and east of San Francisco. With potential thunderstorms and strong winds, there is an outside chance for storms to start rotating, and, while unlikely, a landfalling waterspout or weak tornado can not be ruled out,” NWS forecasters wrote.

Within the past 12 hours, an 80-mph wind gust was recorded on Pine Mountain Fire Road in Marin County north of Mount Tamalpais. A Wind Advisory will remain in effect until late Tuesday night for the South Bay, East Bay, and along the coast.

“A Wind Advisory remains in effect for portions of the Bay Area and Central Coast. The combination of strong winds and moist soils will increase the risk for downed trees and a few power outages,” the NWS wrote.

Tornados are rare in the Bay Area. During a December storm last year, five people were injured when a tornado that ripped through Scotts Valley in Santa Cruz County.

Tuesday evening’s rush hour will be a soggy mess for many commuters on the road. “We’ll get a break on Wednesday before more moderate rain and wind return Thursday,” the NWS wrote.

​SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — A powerful winter storm is sweeping from the North Bay south across the San Francisco Bay Area. KRON4 Meteorologist Lawrence Karnow said the “extremely intense storm front” could generate waterspouts or small tornadoes. Heavy rain poured over the North Bay Tuesday morning before the front moved south. Rain totals are forecasted […]