Rare October storm prompts rescues and tornado warnings in central and southern California
Tornado warnings were issued across parts of Central California, including San Luis Obispo County, as a rare October storm brought heavy rainfall, gusts exceeding 110 km/h (70 mph), and localized flooding on October 13–14, 2025. Evacuation warnings were declared in Los Angeles County for burn-scar areas at risk of debris flows, while forecasters maintained a marginal tornado risk for southern coastal regions.
Satellite loop of the rare October storm moving into California on October 13, 2025. Credit: NOAA/GOES-19, RAMMB/CIRA, The Watchers
A rare October storm over the eastern Pacific moved inland on the night of October 13, generating organized thunderstorm clusters and strong convection across Central and Southern California.
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued multiple tornado warnings for coastal and inland areas of San Luis Obispo County, including Morro Bay, Cayucos, Los Osos, Arroyo Grande, and Grover Beach.
The warnings, in effect late Monday night through early Tuesday, expired after radar-indicated rotation weakened. No confirmed tornado touchdowns were reported as of early October 14.
The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) and local NWS offices placed portions of Southern California under a marginal (low) severe-weather risk for isolated tornadoes and damaging wind gusts, while local media described small pockets of elevated potential.
Radar indicated brief, locally rotating convective cells within a broader squall line affecting coastal areas from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles.
Heavy rain had already started falling Monday evening across much of Northern California, bringing some urban flooding around the San Francisco Bay Area. Multiple rescues were conducted across the Bay Area after multiple vehicles were stranded due to the floods.
Preliminary station reports showed coastal and valley rainfall ranging between 40 and 80 mm (1.5–3 inches), with localized totals up to 100 mm (4 inches) in the higher terrain of Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties. Peak gusts near 110 km/h (70 mph) were observed on exposed ridges and coastal headlands.
The Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management issued evacuation warnings for residents in burn-scar areas of the Angeles National Forest and other fire-impacted slopes due to heightened debris-flow risk. Several road closures and minor mudslides were reported in foothill communities overnight.
In Orange County, a voluntary evacuation warning was issued for residents near last year’s Airport Fire burn scar, including those near Trabuco Creek, Hot Springs Canyon, Bell Canyon, Long Canyon, and Modjeska Canyon.
Flash flood warnings, flood watches and debris-flow advisories will remain in effect for Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties through Tuesday afternoon, covering areas with saturated soils and steep terrain.
Forecasters attributed the event to a deep Pacific trough drawing subtropical moisture northward, producing an early-season atmospheric-river-type plume coupled with a strong upper-level jet.
By midday on October 14, the storm’s core had shifted eastward toward the Mojave Desert, with rainfall gradually decreasing along the coast. Cleanup operations and localized damage assessments are ongoing.
References:
1 Area Forecast Discussion – NWS – October 13, 2025
I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
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