Edhat Staff
Red indicates where the Tornado Warning was valid (Photo: National Weather Service)
By edhat staff
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued flash food warnings and a surprising tornado warning as a large rainstorm passed over Santa Barbara County on Christmas evening.
Wednesday’s rainstorm brought nearly two inches of rain for some areas as it started in the late afternoon. NWS predicted rates of 0.25-0.50″ per hour, with local rates to 0.70″ per hour and issued a flood advisory until 11:00 p.m. which was upgraded to a flash flood warning in some areas until almost 9:00 p.m.
Just after 9:30 p.m., NWS issued a Tornado Warning including Carpinteria, Montecito, and Summerland until 10:30 p.m. with the possibility of penny-sized hail.
As 10:21 p.m., NWS announced the tornado warning was cancelled. “The Tornado Warning that was in effect for southeastern Santa Barbara County has been CANCELLED as the storm has weakened and does not appear capable of producing a tornado,” the alert stated.
Additionally, NWS produced images showing where the tornado was forming and might have landed.However, there were no reports of a tornado or any damage.
Between 9 to 930 pm last evening, a rotating storm cell over the SBA Channel moved north towards Montecito. The red rectangle box indicated where the Tornado Warning was valid. The circulation held together as it reached land, but there were no reports of damage. #cawx #CAstorm pic.twitter.com/ivx425TnEy
— NWS Los Angeles (@NWSLosAngeles) December 26, 2019
Edhat readers reached out to share their shock of such a warning. “Really? Now Tornados?” one subscriber wrote in. Luckily, we were spared from such a rare occurrence.
Ventura County, however, was not so lucky. NWS updated their report and confirmed a narrow EF0 tornado touched down near the Santa Clara River and moved less than 1 mi NNW across the harbor. Damage was limited to trees, roof tiles, and canopies.
This morning we conducted a storm survey for possible tornado damage at @VenturaHarbor. We have confirmed that a narrow EF0 tornado touched down near the Santa Clara River and moved less than 1 mi NNW across the harbor. Damage was limited to trees, roof tiles, and canopies. #CAwx pic.twitter.com/F6ZifTWlOM
— NWS Los Angeles (@NWSLosAngeles) December 26, 2019
Was it a waterspout off the coast that was going to come inland and expend itself over Montecito?
A water spout came ashore back in 69′ or so and fell apart over a baseball field.
Wondering what was going on in the field, a buddy and I entered the field and there were fish in the baseball field.
That was about 2 miles inland.
I was an adult before I realized what had happened.
We were about 8 years old.
Shoot.
I forgot to say that the field was full of seagulls and that got our interest.
DOH!
NWS Los Angeles
✔
@NWSLosAngeles–
This morning we conducted a storm survey for possible tornado damage at @VenturaHarbor. We have confirmed that a narrow EF0 tornado touched down near the Santa Clara River and moved less than 1 mi NNW across the harbor. Damage was limited to trees, roof tiles, and canopies. #CAwx
“Do twisters target mobile home parks?” News at 11.
I’m not jaded by *any* of it, after 60 years, least of all joyous rain! Maybe people don’t need to speak of it, unlike those of us who haunt online sites? And many on Edhat spoke of it, as did their friends & family, I do believe. 🙂