A powerful tornado struck Northern California on Thursday, tearing through a town near San Francisco and upending cars, trees, and power lines. The rare weather event comes as 23 U.S. states face winter storm advisories, with heavy rain, snow, and flooding disrupting travel and daily life. 🚗💨
Tornado Touches Down Near San Francisco
Residents described scenes of 'complete chaos' as the tornado—only the second recorded in the Bay Area this century—hit just after noon local time. 'It sounded like a freight train,' said one local, echoing viral social media footage of swirling debris. Thankfully, no major injuries were reported. 📱🌪️
Winter Weather Warnings Nationwide
From the West Coast to the Midwest, over 85 million Americans are under weather alerts. The storms have dumped record snowfall in the Sierra Nevada mountains, while heavy rains triggered landslides in Southern California. Airlines canceled over 1,200 flights, and highways turned into icy parking lots. ❄️✈️
Why So Extreme?
Meteorologists point to a 'perfect storm' of atmospheric conditions, including a strong jet stream pulling moisture from the Pacific. While tornadoes remain rare in California, experts warn climate change could make such extreme events more frequent. 🌍🔬
Stay tuned for updates as crews work to restore power and clear roads. And remember: when weather gets wild, #StaySafe!
