A brief tornado was reported Thursday when a rare cold spring storm swept through Los Angeles, according to the National Weather Service.
The strong winds caused damaged to the roofs of at least two businesses in the Compton and Carson areas. Some of the debris landed on vehicles parked near the businesses in the Carson industrial park.
There were no reports of injuries.
The tornado with winds up to 75 mph was reported just before 9 a.m. and formed for about one minute or less.
“This tornado likely lasted for a minute or less, but did create some minor damage in the area,” said Ariel Cohen of the National Weather Service.
In March, one person was injured and 11 of the 17 damaged buildings were red-tagged, meaning they’re not safe to enter, by a tornado in the San Gabriel Valley community of Montebello. The Montebello tornado was stronger and lasted for about two minutes.
In March 1983, a stronger tornado caused widespread damage south of downtown Los Angeles. Since 1950, there have been 467 reported tornado events across California, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
The most severe weather moved into Riverside and San Bernardino counties by early afternoon.
Scattered spring showers and below-normal temperatures are in the forecast Thursday after overnight rain and the roar of thunder in Southern California. A flood advisory in effect for much of the region expired at 8 a.m., but scattered showers will continue into the afternoon.
The storm also packed strong winds. At least two businesses and the Carson and Compton areas were damaged Thursday morning. Portions of the buildings’ roofs were ripped off when a storm cell moved through the area.
Thunder roared overnight in Los Angeles, likely waking people across the region. The storm will bring a roughly 20% chance of thunderstorms, with those chances largely dwindling by Thursday afternoon.
Some lingering showers are possible in inland areas on Friday and into Saturday, but drier conditions are expected this weekend. Temperatures will rises into the 70s by Sunday after a week of widespread highs in the 50s and low-60s.
Cool weather returns Wednesday, and so does another chance of rain.
Some mountain areas will see even more snow, with an average of 4 to 8 inches possible at elevations above 6,000 feet, and a chance of accumulations exceeding a foot in some isolated spots. Lesser amounts of snow are possible down to 4,000 feet. Forecasters said there is a 30% chance of an inch or more of snow falling over the Grapevine stretch of Interstate 5 in northern Los Angeles County, so motorists should be on alert for possible closures or police escorts.
A winter weather advisory will be in effect until 5 p.m. Thursday in the eastern San Gabriel Mountains, with the anticipated snow accompanied by winds of up to 45 mph.
