Rare tornado warning issued in San Diego

SAN DIEGO - The National Weather Service issued a rare tornado warning in San Diego Tuesday as a relentless atmospheric river continued to dump rain and mountain snow in Southern California. 

The warning included the cities of Chula Vista, El Cajon and National City.

In a social media post, NWS said the warning expired at 12:45 p.m. The area affected an estimated 367,500 residents, 96 schools and a hospital. 

Orange County, San Diego's neighbor to the north, began experiencing heavy rainfall late Tuesday morning. As a result, the NWS issued a Flash Flood Warning in the area through 1 p.m. 

SUGGESTED: California storm: Relentless atmospheric river continues to slam SoCal

While a tornado warning was issued and later expired, the NWS did not confirm that a tornado struck the area.

Over the weekend, Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency for eight of the Golden State’s counties, including Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, and San Diego, in anticipation of the potent storm. 

RELATED: California storm update: Newsom declares state of emergency

In March 2023, several businesses were damaged after a tornado struck Montebello in Los Angeles County. Nearly two months later, the NWS confirmed a tornado hit the Carson-Compton area. 

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: 

• Tornado rips through Montebello; strongest tornado to hit Los Angeles-area in 40 years
• Tornado in Carson-Compton area confirmed by NWS

This story was reported from Los Angeles.