Fierce winds – but not a tornado – damaged several trees at a San Clemente golf course Thursday, Oct. 22, as thunderstorms swept through Southern California, the National Weather Service said late Thursday afternoon.
A meteorologist was sent to the San Clemente Municipal Golf Course earlier in the day after the agency received reports and photographs of damaged trees, NWS meteorologist Casey Oswant said. A tornado was suspected.
It later was determined that the damage was caused by strong, straight-line winds, NWS meteorologist Sam Zuber said. Straight-line winds are damaging winds, associated with thunderstorms, that move outward rather than rotating like a tornado. Fallen trees and debris are typically left pushed or pointing in one direction, rather than swirled around.
Video shared by Fox 11 showed several damaged trees at the golf course, with branches snapped off and scattered across the ground. At least one large tree appeared to have been uprooted, with its roots sticking into the air.
The report of a possible tornado and subsequent investigation came amid unsettled weather across Southern California, where forecasters had warned of isolated thunderstorms, strong winds and the possibility of brief, weak tornadoes.
Earlier Thursday, the National Weather Service warned that an unstable atmosphere could produce isolated tornadoes in parts of Los Angeles County, along with damaging wind gusts.
Forecasters also warned of the potential for waterspouts over coastal waters as the storm system moved through the region.
Light to moderate rain continues in Southern California, flooding some roadways, prompting rescues