This storm initiated well out to sea, and produced at least one known waterspout before coming ashore in south Carlsbad. The storm then left a swath of small hail 2 inches deep as it moved inland, all the while showing rotation on radar. The above photo was our first view of the supercell as it approached Escondido from the west. Seeing the rotating wall cloud out our window confirmed what we were looking at on radar.

 

As the supercell began to move over Escondido, a small funnel formed unerneath the wall cloud. However, the phones were ringing off the hook, and so at the time of the funnel, I was unable to snap a photo of it. Notice the time lapse between the first photo and the shot above. This photo (looking north) was taken quite a few minutes later as the supercell crossed I-15. Both the clear slot and hail core are easily identifiable in the photo.

 

The supercell began to move beyond the Escondido area, and it was at this point that we could really see the some strong inflow to our east northeast.

 

One of our last good views of the supercell as it left Escondido. Shortly afterward, hail and terrain began to block our view of the rain-free base.

 

 

 

Damage Survey

 

This was the first place I found clues that anything had happened. A narrow swath of laid out or flattened grass that began near HWY 78 and continued up the side of the hill. Some of the taller weeds and shrubs had been pulled out of the ground by the strong winds.

 

These two photos show two different plant debris that were on oposite sides of the damage path. Both were pointed inward towards the center of the path. Left Photo: This plant was located on the south side of the damage path and was pointed NE. Right Photo: This plant was located on the north side of the damage path and was pointed SE.

 

 

Here's a close up of some of the damaged vegitation further down HWY 78.

 

These photos were taken in the neighborhood where the tornado was first reported. Left Photo: these tree limbs were pointed towards the north. north west. Photo Right: These tree limbs were pointed toward the north.

 

This was the house at the end of the street that sustained the most damage. Most of the first few rows of roof tiles along the front of the house were blown off. While most of the roof damage was on the front, or west face of the house, there was some minor damage in the back on the east face of the house.

 

The TV antenna was blown over the side of the roof.

 

The garage door on the east side of the house was blown outward from the inside of the garage.

 

View of the same garage door from the other side. This garage had roll up doors on both the east and west walls

 

One of seven pine trees blown over at this property.

 

Three toppled trees, all facing east northeast.

 

Some sort of metal roofing or siding from a barn was tossed into a nearby field. It is unknown where this came from. Also, some of the trees were snapped off about 5 or 6 feet up from the ground, such as this pine.

 

Grass, Weeds, and Yuccas in a field about 25-30 yards to the north of this residence were all laid down flat by the winds. Some of the debris pointed towards the southwest, and some of it pointed towards the south.

 

On the west side of the neighborhood, damage mostly consisted of downed tree limbs. One exception though was this backyard play equipment for kids. The entire playground swing set was tossed into the air and landed upside down.

 

These trees were blown down facing to the northeast.

 

The trees and grass here in another part of the neighborhood were blown down towards the west.

 

Based on what I saw, the supercell produced a weak F0 tornado. Minor damage & flattened vegitation was confined to a narrow path about 2 miles in length. The damage path was maybe 45 yards at its widest.

 

California Weather

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