answersLogoWhite

0

Afunnel cloud is a funnel-shaped cloud of condensed water droplets, associated with a rotating column of wind and extending from the base of a cloud (usually a cumulonimbus or towering cumulus cloud) but not reaching the ground or a water surface. A funnel cloud is usually visible as a cone-shaped or needle like protuberance from the main cloud base. Funnel clouds form most frequently in association with supercell thunderstorms.

If a funnel cloud touches the ground it becomes a tornado. Most tornadoes begin as funnel clouds, but many funnel clouds do not make ground contact and so do not become tornadoes. Also, a tornado does not necessarily need to have an associated condensation funnel---if strong cyclonic winds are occurring at the surface (and connected to a cloud base, regardless of condensation), then the feature is a tornado. Some tornadoes may appear only as a debris swirl, with no obvious funnel cloud extending below the rotating cloud base.

A funnel cloud that touches down on, or moves over water is a waterspout.

User Avatar

Wiki User

15y ago

What else can I help you with?

Related Questions

What is the synomym of funnel cloud?

A funnel cloud may be called a condensation funnel or simply a funnel.


What makes a funnel cloud?

A funnel cloud forms when the vortex of a developing tornado draws in moist air. As the air enters the vortex it undergoes a pressure drop, which in turn produce a temperature drop. This causes the moisture to condense and form a funnel cloud.


What is the difference between a funnel cloud and tornado?

A funnel cloud is a rotating column of air that does not reach the ground, while a tornado is a funnel cloud that extends to the ground and causes damage. Both are formed from the same weather conditions and can be associated with severe thunderstorms.


What happens when a funnel cloud pokes through a cumulonimbus cloud?

It forms a funnel cloud.


What has a funnel and is at the bottom of a cumulonimbus cloud?

A tornado has a funnel and is at the bottom of a cumulonimbus cloud. If its winds do not reach the ground, though it is just a funnel cloud.


How do you put the word funnel cloud in the sentence?

Here are some sentences.She saw a funnel cloud in the distance.A tornado forms from a funnel cloud.


A funnel cloud touching the ground?

A funnel cloud that touches the ground is a tornado.


How do you use funnel cloud in a sentence?

This is a cloud that can form into a tornado. Here are some sentences.I worried when I saw a funnel cloud forming in the distance.The funnel cloud dropped out of the sky.The weatherman said that a funnel cloud had been seen over town.


How does a funnel in a tornado form?

A funnel cloud forms when a rotating column of air descends from a thunderstorm cloud but doesn't touch the ground. When the funnel cloud touches the ground, it becomes a tornado. The rotating air within the tornado causes it to appear as a funnel-shaped cloud.


Is funnel cloud a noun?

Yes, the term 'funnel cloud' is a compoundnoun, a word combining two or more words to form a noun with a meaning of its own. The compound noun funnel cloud is a word for a specific type of cloud.


When the tip of the funnel cloud touches the ground it becomes a?

tornado clouds


How do you tell when there is a funnel cloud?

A funnel cloud is a rotating column of air that extends from the base of a thunderstorm. They can be identified by their funnel-shaped appearance extending downwards from the cloud. Funnel clouds may or may not reach the ground to become tornadoes.