Summary (tl;dr)

A tornado warning was issued for Santa Cruz County, California, on Thursday, December 25, 2025, as a severe thunderstorm with radar-indicated rotation threatened the area, prompting residents to seek immediate shelter. Similar tornado threats and warnings also affected other parts of California, including east-central Los Angeles County, amid a larger storm system.

Essential Background

California is currently experiencing a significant atmospheric river event, bringing heavy rain, high winds, and a rare risk of tornadoes to the state around the Christmas holiday. This weather pattern creates unusual atmospheric conditions conducive to the formation of waterspouts and land-based tornadoes, especially along the coast and in the Central Valley. While less common than in other parts of the United States, late December is considered part of California's tornado season.

The Full Story

On Thursday, December 25, 2025, the National Weather Service (NWS) San Francisco issued a tornado warning for a large portion of Santa Cruz County, California, effective from 12:19 p.m. until 1:00 p.m. PST. The warning was prompted by a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado, observed approximately 7 miles south of Santa Cruz and moving northward at 35 mph. Areas specifically impacted by this warning included Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley, Capitola, Live Oak, Soquel, Aptos, Felton, and other surrounding communities. Residents were advised to seek immediate shelter in an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building, away from windows, due to the potential for flying debris, damage to mobile homes, roofs, windows, vehicles, and trees. Earlier the same day, a tornado warning was also issued for parts of east-central Los Angeles County, covering areas like Alhambra, Pasadena, and San Gabriel, due to intense thunderstorm activity.

Why It Matters

Tornado warnings are relatively rare for California, making these events particularly noteworthy and concerning for residents. The potential for tornadoes, combined with ongoing risks of flooding, mudslides, and high winds from the atmospheric river, poses significant life-threatening risks and property damage across the state during a major holiday travel period. The unusual nature of these severe weather phenomena underscores the broader impact of climate patterns on regions not typically associated with such events.

Geographic Location

• Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz County, California, United States (tornado warning issued)
• Scotts Valley, Santa Cruz County, California, United States (tornado warning issued)
• Capitola, Santa Cruz County, California, United States (tornado warning issued)
• Alhambra, Los Angeles County, California, United States (tornado warning issued)
• Pasadena, Los Angeles County, California, United States (tornado warning issued)