{"id":283266,"date":"2026-04-24T05:04:13","date_gmt":"2026-04-24T05:04:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/283266\/"},"modified":"2026-04-24T05:04:13","modified_gmt":"2026-04-24T05:04:13","slug":"rare-moment-caught-on-camera-as-three-tornadoes-touch-down-in-california","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/283266\/","title":{"rendered":"Rare moment caught on camera as three tornadoes touch down in California"},"content":{"rendered":"

A rare burst of tornado activity spun across California\u2019s Central Valley on Tuesday, dropping three twisters in quick succession, according to a preliminary report from the National Weather Service<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The unusual weather event<\/a> unfolded in Fresno County and Madera County as a powerful storm system swept through, unleashing heavy rain, gusty winds and hail but sparing the region from injuries and major destruction.<\/p>\n

While funnel clouds were spotted in large numbers, only a handful made ground contact, meeting the criteria to be officially classified as tornadoes<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Meteorologists confirmed the first touchdown at 2:10 p.m. near the community of Biola.<\/p>\n

Experts refer to the\u00a0Central Valley\u00a0as California\u2019s own \u201cmini tornado alley\u201d because its wide-open, flat terrain is geographically similar to the Great Plains.<\/p>\n

Most California tornadoes are rated EF0 or EF1 (weak)<\/p>\n

The brief twister tore through a walnut grove, damaging trees with winds topping 70 mph and carving a path just 150 feet long, roughly half a football field<\/a>. <\/p>\n

It was rated EF0, the weakest category on the enhanced Fujita scale.<\/p>\n

Just over an hour later, a stronger tornado formed west of Atwater. <\/p>\n

Packing winds up to 95 mph, it traveled about half a mile and snapped trees along its path, earning an EF1 rating.<\/p>\n

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A third tornado struck at 5:09 p.m. northeast of Clovis. Matching the second storm\u2019s distance but hitting harder, it generated winds reaching 110 mph and caused damage to several homes.<\/p>\n

In total, officials estimate that at least 20 funnel clouds were seen during the outbreak.<\/p>\n

While such formations aren\u2019t especially rare in the region, most never reach the ground.<\/p>\n

March is the busiest month for activity (17.4% of events), and most tornadoes occur around 3 p.m. Westlands Water District, via Storyful<\/p>\n

The widest tornado in state history occurred in\u00a0Los Angeles\u00a0in 1982. Instagram\/@weatherchannel<\/p>\n

Tornadoes themselves, however, remain a rarity in California.<\/p>\n

Data from Golden Gate Weather Service<\/a> shows that between 1950 and 2025, just 487 tornadoes have been confirmed statewide.<\/p>\n

Days with three or more tornadoes are especially uncommon, occurring only about two dozen times over that span.<\/p>\n

The Central Valley and coastal Southern California see the bulk of the state\u2019s tornado activity, with Los Angeles County<\/a> leading in total reports, though higher population density may play a role in detection rates.<\/p>\n

Tuesday\u2019s event came down to a perfect mix of atmospheric ingredients. <\/p>\n

A moisture-rich system rolling in from the Pacific combined with daytime heating after cloud cover broke, creating unstable conditions that fueled thunderstorm development.<\/p>\n

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