Blizzard-producing storm system spawns tornado in central California [Video]

MADERA, Calif. – A tornado was likely not on anyone’s bingo card for a winter storm system to produce on Friday, but that is exactly what residents saw in the sky over the San Joaquin Valley.

Forecasters were busy tracking a storm system that produced blizzard conditions in the Sierra Nevada with the potential for feet of snow and wind gusts to hurricane strength.

During a slug of moisture that was inbound to the mountain range, enough shear was present for rotation, which caused a funnel cloud to form.

Due to the depiction of rotation on doppler radar and reports from weather spotters, the National Weather Service office in Hanford, California, issued a series of Tornado Warnings for Madera, Mariposa and Merced counties in the central part of the state.

‘LIFE-THREATENING’ BLIZZARD UNFOLDING IN CALIFORNIA MOUNTAINS WITH 10-PLUS FEET OF SNOW, 145 MPH WINDS

NWS meteorologists warned those in the storm’s path to take …