Brief tornado warning near Molalla, Oregon, after funnel cloud
A brief tornado warning Molalla Oregon residents received on Saturday afternoon was dropped by about 4 p.m. after the National Weather Service tracked rotation and storm spotters reported funnel clouds near Molalla in southern Clackamas County. Thunderstorms and hail remained possible across Western Oregon through the afternoon.
Key Takeaways
- The National Weather Service issued a brief tornado warning for part of Clackamas County on Saturday afternoon after funnel cloud reports near Molalla.
- NWS Portland detected radar rotation, and a trained spotter reported multiple funnel clouds before the alert was dropped around 4 p.m.
- Thunderstorms and hail remained possible across Western Oregon and Southwest Washington through the afternoon.
- A golfer was struck by lightning in Clackamas County shortly before the funnel cloud was spotted.
- Viewer photos documented a funnel cloud over Molalla on June 27, 2026, as local stations tracked the fast-moving alert.
What triggered the tornado warning Molalla Oregon saw on Saturday?
The National Weather Service in Portland issued the alert for part of Clackamas County after reports of a funnel cloud near Molalla, according to KATU. Storm Tracker 2 Digital Meteorologist Bobby Corser said the spotter report prompted the warning: radar showed rotation, and ground reports confirmed it.
NWS Portland said the storm spotter saw multiple funnel clouds. The warning arrived as thunderstorms and small hail were possible across Western Oregon and Southwest Washington.
When was the alert cancelled for Molalla and south Clackamas County?
KATU reported the tornado warning was dropped by about 4 p.m. KGW also tracked the cancellation for Molalla and south Clackamas County as the severe cell moved on. KOIN reported a suspected funnel cloud spotted in Molalla after the canceled tornado warning, underscoring how quickly conditions can shift during active storm days.
Meteorologists warned that strong showers and thunderstorms would continue through the rest of the afternoon. The National Weather Service urged residents to take cover immediately when warnings are issued, moving to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building.
What should residents do during a tornado warning?
NWS Portland warned that mobile homes, roofs, and vehicles could be damaged and told people to avoid windows. Anyone outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle was advised to move to the closest substantial shelter and protect themselves from flying debris.
Personal safety during sudden severe weather is part of broader resilience planning covered in our Longevity & Biohacking section. Saturday's storms also turned dangerous elsewhere in the county: a golfer was struck by lightning shortly before the funnel cloud was spotted near West Linn.
Was any tornado damage confirmed near Molalla?
As of the latest reporting, KATU described the event as a developing story with additional storm reports still coming in across the Portland metro. Viewer Tim Chambers shared a photo of the funnel cloud over Molalla on June 27, 2026, through KATU's Chime In platform, giving forecasters and neighbors visual confirmation of the rotating column.
Residents should continue monitoring local forecasts and official alerts from the National Weather Service Portland office during active thunderstorm days.