Thunderstorm brings funnel clouds, tornado warnings to Central California
Funnel clouds formed just before a tornado warning went into effect in Merced County on Monday.
MERCED COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- Funnel clouds were spotted in Merced County on Monday as thunderstorms moved through Central California.
Around 2:30 p.m., an Action News camera captured a funnel cloud northeast of Atwater.
About ten minutes later, the funnel cloud continued to swirl near Vine and Almond as the sky darkened around it.
Tornado Warnings in the North Valley
The National Weather Service issued two separate tornado warnings for Merced, Mariposa, and Tuolumne counties.
Chief Meteorologist Kevin Musso sorted through images and videos confirming funnel cloud sightings.
He explained the difference in urgency between tornado warnings and watches.
"Tornado watches are put out when we know the conditions are favorable for the development of severe thunderstorms that are capable of producing a tornado that might make contact with the ground," Musso explained.
"Radar indicated rotation of the cell, so they jumped past doing a watch for a tornado and went right to a tornado warning, and they've had funnel cloud sightings all over the north end of the Valley, so it's really no surprise."
Musso also explained what you should do when a warning is issued.
"Get into a significant structure, get in low-lying areas, remain in your car if that's all you've got. Get to the interior of your home, not around windows," Musso said.
"Don't be in the close proximity of trees because, obviously, trees can be knocked over or uprooted."
Wet Weather Continues across Central California
These latest thunderstorms come after back-to-back systems moved through Central California last week.
On Thursday, a winter storm brought snow to low elevations in Fresno County, causing students to be excused early from school in Tollhouse.
Continued snowy conditions prompted schools to be shut down in Madera County the following day.
The weekend brought a break in the wet weather until the rain began again on Monday morning.
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