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A swirling mass of dirt and garbage gave drivers an unexpected close-up of Southern California’s stormy weather Thursday, while a separate investigation in Orange County put a possible tornado under scrutiny after winds damaged a San Clemente golf course.
The two incidents unfolded as thunderstorms brought a mix of gusty conditions and flood threats to the region, prompting a string of weather alerts from the National Weather Service.
In Victorville, a motorist captured footage of a rotating cloud of dust near US Route 395 and Dos Palmas Road. Loose trash and other debris were swept into the air as the column spun near the ground.
The phenomenon was a “gustnado,” a type of whirlwind that forms along the front edge of a thunderstorm’s outward-moving winds, according to experts. A Wind Advisory covered the Victorville area during the storm, and no injuries were reported in connection with the incident.
The weather also left its mark on the coast, where damage at San Clemente Municipal Golf Course raised questions about whether a tornado had struck Wednesday night.
Weather service investigators examined the reports and concluded that straight-line winds were the likelier explanation.
The agency told KTLA that the strongest gusts in the area reached 36 mph.
At the golf course, located at 150 E. Avenida Magdalena, the wind damage meant a day of clearing fallen trees and other debris for cleanup crews.
The investigation followed a warning from forecasters Wednesday that a brief tornado was a remote possibility as a storm system moved toward Southern California. The National Weather Service described the odds as a “very small chance,” with heavy rain, thunderstorms and powerful gusts also in the forecast.
Thursday’s weather brought a broader round of warnings across the region. Strong showers and thunderstorms prompted Flood Advisories, Flash Flood Warnings and Special Weather Statements, as well as a couple of Severe Thunderstorm Warnings.
The threats varied by location, but the combination of blustery winds and potential flooding kept weather officials tracking conditions across Southern California.
The storm was expected to clear the region by Thursday evening, with drier weather forecast for Friday.