The National Weather Service (NWS) is investigating a possible tornado reported at the San Clemente Golf Course. This inquiry follows a report that a tree may have been damaged by a suspected tornado, occurring as a strong October storm delivers periods of heavy rain across Southern California, the NWS said Thursday.
Weather officials from the NWS San Diego office are dispatching a team to survey the San Clemente Golf Course due to the potential tornado activity. The report of the possible tornado was received around noon on Thursday. Officials stated they were not certain of the precise time the tree may have been struck.
Beyond San Clemente, the storm has brought significant weather concerns throughout the region. Heavy rainfall has been a primary feature of the system, which moved into Los Angeles County on Wednesday, raising concerns about potential flooding.
A flood watch remained in effect through Thursday for several areas, including Malibu, Malibu Bowl, Pacific Palisades, Topanga, and specific portions of the eastern and western Santa Monica Mountains. Forecasters warned that the persistent heavy rainfall could lead to flooding in urban and poorly drained areas, affecting streets, creeks, and rivers. Additionally, areas near steep hillsides and recent wildfire burn scars faced potential hazards such as runoff, mud, and debris.
The NWS also issued a warning for the San Gabriel Valley, where a weak tornado was possible amid a strong thunderstorm moving through that area. This thunderstorm could bring wind gusts of 50 to 55 miles per hour and half-inch hail, according to the NWS. The weather agency cautioned that "Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects," and that minor hail damage to vegetation was also possible. Cities potentially impacted by this thunderstorm included San Dimas, Glendora, West Covina, Pomona, La Verne, Azusa, and Walnut.
Tornadoes are considered rare occurrences in Southern California, though they are not unprecedented. The NWS noted that approximately a dozen mostly weak twisters are reported statewide each year, with past occurrences in locations such as Carson and Boyle Heights.
Coastal waters were also affected by the storm system. Scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms were expected to continue impacting ocean waters into Thursday evening. These conditions could potentially produce lightning, erratic wind gusts, rough seas, and waterspouts. A beach hazards statement remained in effect through late Thursday night for portions of the Los Angeles County coastline. Along the coast, elevated surf and dangerous rip currents were anticipated, with minor beach erosion and tidal overflow also possible in low-lying areas.
Overall rainfall totals for the multiday storm were projected to average about 1.5 inches across much of Los Angeles County. However, forecasters indicated that 2 to 3 inches of rain were possible in areas where terrain enhanced rainfall or where thunderstorms produced concentrated downpours.
