Funnel clouds are the result of rotation in thunderstorms, induced by wind shear, becoming tighter and more intense, stretching toward the ground. If the rotation reaches the ground it is considered a tornado. See the relate question for a more detailed explanation on the formation of tornadoes and the storms that cause them.
The visible funnel itself is a consequence of the pressure drop inside the vortex. Air enterin the vortex experiences a rapid drop in pressure which in turn causes a drop in temperature. This temperature drop causes the moisture in the air to condense into tiny droplets, forming a cloud.
gt
A funnel cloud is associated with severe thunderstorms or tornadoes. It forms when rotating air creates a condensation funnel that extends from the base of the cloud towards the ground. Funnel clouds can develop into tornadoes if the right conditions are present.
A funnel cloud is a rotating cloud that extends downward from a thunderstorm, while a tornado is a funnel cloud that has touched the ground. In other words, all tornadoes start as funnel clouds, but not all funnel clouds develop into tornadoes.
Tornadoes are formed by rotating air within a supercell thunderstorm. The rotating air may initially be present in the form of a funnel cloud, which is a rotating, cone-shaped cloud that does not reach the ground. If the funnel cloud extends to the ground, it is then classified as a tornado.
Funnel clouds are rotating columns of air that extend downward from a thunderstorm cloud but do not touch the ground. These clouds can develop into tornadoes if they reach the ground. If a funnel cloud lasts for up to 15 minutes, it could indicate a higher likelihood of it touching down and becoming a tornado.
Those funnel clouds are very ominous.
They are often visible as funnel clouds, but these clouds are not necessarily very large.
Tornadoes are associated with funnel clouds.
Yes. Funnel clouds ar usually visible unless they are obscured by rain.
gt
Yes. Many funnel clouds never touch down.
To be classified as a tornado, a funnel cloud must reach the ground. Funnel clouds that do not reach the ground are typically referred to as non-tornadic funnel clouds.
British
Funnel clouds most often occur in the spring and early summer and in the later afternoon and early evening.
The sky.
tornado
A funnel cloud is associated with severe thunderstorms or tornadoes. It forms when rotating air creates a condensation funnel that extends from the base of the cloud towards the ground. Funnel clouds can develop into tornadoes if the right conditions are present.