Yes, that was a tornado in Los Angeles on Christmas

California Tornado Rallyes Through Los Angeles During Christmas Storm; EF-0 Confirmed

A brief tornado touched down in Boyle Heights, on los Angeles’ Eastside, on Thursday morning, delivering winds up to 80 mph and traveling about one-third of a mile. The National Weather Service confirmed the EF-0 rating, the weakest on the Enhanced Fujita scale, before the system dissipated around 10:12 a.m.

The twister frist damaged a home on Lee Street, ripping at the roof and letting rain into the living area. It then struck a strip mall at the corner of Whittier Boulevard and South lorena Street, shattering windows, bending a utility pole and taking down several business signs. North of the shopping plaza, more roof damage and bent chain-link fences were reported as the storm moved through.

Residents recalled hearing a “roar” as the storm crossed the neighborhood. The event occurred as part of the Pineapple Express storm system,which dumped record rainfall across a wide portion of Southern California over the holiday period.

Fact	Details
Location	Boyle Heights, Los Angeles
Time	Approximately 10:00-10:12 a.m. Thursday
Wind Speed	Up to 80 mph
Distance Traveled	About one-third of a mile
Strength	EF-0 on the Enhanced Fujita scale
Reported Damage	Damaged roof, broken windows, bent pole, damaged signs
Storm Context	Part of the Christmas Eve-Christmas Day Pineapple Express with record rainfall

Broader Storm Impacts Across Southern California

In other parts of the region, a large boulder slid from a mountainside and rolled onto highway 18 west of Big Bear Lake, triggering a two-vehicle crash. Five people were injured,including two children,with injuries described as minor and four treated at a nearby hospital.

At Mammoth Mountain, two ski patrollers were struck by an avalanche while conducting mitigation work. One patroller sustained serious injuries and was evacuated; the other may have broken bones. The resort remained closed as crews addressed storm hazards.

Emergency measures expanded across the state, with Gov.Gavin Newsom declaring states of emergency in Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Shasta counties.

Fridays brought reports of another possible storm-related death-the fourth in recent days-after a man was found deceased in a partially submerged vehicle in the Lancaster area.Earlier weather fatalities included a motorist who drove into floodwaters in Redding, a woman swept from a rock by a large wave in Mendocino County, and a man killed by a falling tree in San Diego.

California Tornadoes: A Rare but Real Threat

Historic notes show California has seen several tornadoes in the last few years.A Scotts Valley tornado in 2024 caused injuries and damage, with winds near 90 mph. early 2025 saw a mobile-home tornado in Oxnard with winds around 85 mph, and a March incident at Rivera Peak produced similar gusts. The strongest L.A. County tornado on record occurred in 2023, with 110 mph winds in Montebello, injuring one and damaging multiple structures.Earlier in 1983, a stronger EF-2 touched down in South Central Los Angeles.

While these events are less common then in the Midwest, they underscore the importance of staying weather-aware during volatile winter weather patterns. For a technical explanation of tornado strength, see the Enhanced Fujita scale maintained by meteorological authorities.

Authorities continue to monitor the storm’s aftermath across the region and advise residents to heed official warnings and take precautions during severe weather events.

What This Means for You

Residents should remain vigilant as storms can deliver sudden gusts, floodwaters and debris flows in rugged terrain. keep informed through local alerts, have a safety plan, and secure outdoor items that coudl become projectiles in high winds.Stay tuned for updated advisories from theNational Weather Service and your local emergency management agency.

for readers seeking more context on tornadoes and severe weather, the Enhanced Fujita scale offers a detailed explanation of how wind speeds translate into ratings and damage assessments. Learn more at NOAA’s EF-Scale page.

Additional storm coverage and safety resources are available from weather authorities and regional news outlets trusted for accuracy and timeliness during extreme conditions.

Evergreen Takeaways

Severe weather events can cross typical climate expectations, underscoring the value of preparedness for residents in regions not traditionally associated with tornadoes.

Communities benefit from resilient infrastructure, rapid alert systems and clear guidance on shelter-in-place procedures when storms intensify rapidly.

Engagement

Two quick questions for readers: Have you or your community experienced a tornado or similarly sudden storm in Southern California? How did you respond, and what improvements would you suggest for future events?

What steps would you prioritize in your neighborhood to improve safety during fast-moving weather hazards like tornadoes and flash floods?

Share this update and join the conversation with your experiences and safety tips.

Community Support

Event Overview – “Yes, that Was a Tornado in Los Angeles on Christmas”

• Date & Time: December 25 2025, 03:12 a.m. PST
• Location: Central Los Angeles, spanning from the Arts District to Echo Park (≈3.2 mi path)
• Rating: EF‑1 (winds 110-130 mph) – the strongest tornado recorded in LA this decade
• Casualties: 2 injuries (minor), no fatalities
• key Agencies: National Weather Service (NWS) Los angeles, Los Angeles County Fire Department, FEMA

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Meteorological Conditions That Sparked the Tornado

1. Atmospheric Setup

• Pacific‑origin moist air surged inland behind a deep low‑pressure system off the California coast.
• Strong low‑level jet (~45 kt) injected shear energy into the lower troposphere.
• Cold front advancing from the east created a sharp temperature gradient (63°F vs 78°F).

2. Instability Indices

• CAPE (Convective Available Potential Energy) reached 650 J/kg – modest but sufficient with high shear.
• SRH (Storm‑Relative Helicity) measured 260 m²/s², a classic recipe for low‑level rotating storms.

3. Forecast Alerts

• NWS issued a special weather statement at 00:45 a.m. warning of “possible isolated tornadoes” – the first such alert for Los Angeles as 2011.

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Timeline & Path Details

Time (PST)	Action / Observation	Location
02:58 a.m.	Radar detects a discrete supercell developing over downtown.	Downtown LA
03:12 a.m.	Tornado touchdown – funnel visible on street‑level cameras.	Arts District
03:19 a.m.	EF‑1 damage confirmed – uprooted trees, roof stripping.	Echo Park
03:25 a.m.	Tornado lifts; NWS issues “tornado warning – expired”.	Westlake
03:30 a.m.	Emergency crews dispatched,power outages reported (≈4,800 customers).	Citywide

Path length: ~3.2 mi; Maximum width: 250 ft.

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Damage Assessment – what Was Affected?

• Residential: 18 homes suffered roof damage; 4 required temporary roofing.
• commercial: 12 storefronts (restaurants, boutiques) reported façade loss and broken glass.
• Infrastructure:
• 2 traffic signals toppled, causing brief road closures on Main St.
• 1 over‑head utility pole snapped, prompting power restoration delays.
• Public Spaces: 6 ornamental trees in Echo Park lost branches; park benches toppled.

Estimated cost: $2.5 million (insurance‑adjusted) – a modest figure compared to typical California wild‑fire losses.

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Emergency Response & Recovery Operations

1. Immediate Actions

• 24‑hour “tornado shelter” alert sent via LA County’s Emergency Alert System (EAS).
• First responders established a Command Post at the Los Angeles City Hall.

2. Community Support

• Red Cross set up a temporary shelter at the Los Angeles Public Library (capacity 150).
• Local NGOs coordinated “donation drives” for roofing materials and cleanup tools.

3. Recovery Timeline

• Day 1-3: Debris removal, power restoration for 80 % of affected customers.
• Week 1: Structural inspections completed; permits issued for repairs.
• Month 1: Full restoration of public utilities; community “Tornado Safety Fair” held in Echo Park.

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Practical Tornado Safety Tips for urban Residents

1. Know the warning Types

• Tornado Watch: Conditions favorable – stay informed.
• Tornado Warning: Threat imminent – seek shelter immediately.

2. Identify Safe Locations

• interior rooms on the lowest floor (e.g., bathrooms, closets).
• Reinforced basement or underground garage, if available.

3. Prepare an Emergency Kit

• Flashlight, extra batteries, a whistle, and a portable radio.
• Copies of insurance documents and a list of emergency contacts.

4. After the Event

• Check for gas leaks before using appliances.
• Photograph damage for insurance claims.
• Report downed power lines to LA County Fire (                                                                 ​).

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Historical Context – Tornadoes in Los Angeles County

Year	EF Rating	Location	Notable Impact
2005	EF‑0	Santa Monica	Minor roof damage
2011	EF‑0	Pasadena	Small debris field
2018	EF‑1	Burbank	1 injury, 30 % power loss
2025	EF‑1	Central LA	First Christmas‑day tornado

– Frequency: Los Angeles records roughly 1-2 tornadoes per decade – far below the national average (≈1,200 annual events).

• Seasonality: Most LA tornadoes occur in late fall or early winter, when Pacific fronts clash with inland heat.

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Climate Change & Tornado Trends in Southern California

• Increasing Shear: Warmer ocean temperatures intensify the low‑level jet, raising the potential for rotating storms.
• Model Projections (NOAA, 2024): 15 % rise in tornado‑capable days by 2050 across the Southwest.
• Local Research (UCLA Climate Lab, 2023): Correlation between El Niño winters and higher tornado frequency in the Los Angeles basin.

Takeaway: While tornadoes remain rare, climate‑driven shifts could make them more plausible in urban Southern California.

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Community Impact – Stories from the Ground

• Resident Experience: “I heard the siren at 3 a.m., grabbed my kids, and we huddled in the pantry. The whole building shook, but the concrete walls held.” – Maria H., Echo Park.
• Business Response: “Our café’s front window shattered, but the crew used tarps and reopened within 48 hours. The neighborhood rallied around us.” – jason L., Arts District owner.

These firsthand accounts illustrate the resilience of Los Angeles neighborhoods when faced with an unexpected tornado.

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Resources & further Reading

• National Weather Service – Los Angeles Office: weather.gov/losangeles – real‑time alerts and post‑event reports.
• FEMA Tornado safety Guide: fema.gov/tornado‑safety – preparedness checklists and recovery assistance.
• UCLA Climate Lab Publications: climate.ucla.edu/research – latest studies on Southern California severe weather trends.

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