What is a funnel cloud made of?

Answer 1

The formation of tornadoes and funnel clouds is complicated.

First, a condition called wind shear, in which the speed or direction of the wind changes with altitude. If the shear is strong enough it can essentially tilt a thunderstorm, this separates the updraft and downdraft of the thunderstorm, preventing them from interfering with one another. This allows the storm to become stronger and last longer.

Additionally, if the wind shear is strong enough it can start the air rolling in what is called horizontal vorticity. This horizontal vorticity can then be turned vertical by a thunderstorm's updraft. When this happens, the thunderstorm may start rotating. The rotation is especially strong in an updraft called a mesocyclone. If the storm intensifies rapidly enough, a relatively warm downdraft called a rear-flank downdraft or RFD can wrap around the bottom part of the mesocyclone. This can then tighten and intensify its rotation and to produce a funnel cloud If it produces damaging winds on the ground it becomes a tornado.

Answer 2

A funnel cloud is a tapered, rotating cloud created by convection and conflicting wind directions. If it reaches the surface, it becomes a tornado, or a waterspout, but only a small minority of funnel clouds become tornadoes.

Funnel clouds can also indicate weak tornadoes that don't have a visible portion reaching the ground. A destructive tornado could look like a funnel cloud if the air is unusually dry, preventing the formation of cloud material all the way to the ground. In this case, spinning debris would be the only indication of destructive winds.

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A funnel cloud is a tornado that's either in the air so you can see in it or it's trying to make a tornado or water spout.

Answer 3

A funnel cloud forms when the rotating mesocyclone of a thunderstorm tightens and intensifies. Air drawn into the vortex experiences a drop in pressure, which cools the air and causes moisture in it to condense and form a cloud.

Answer 4

A funnel cloud is composed of air and water droplets just like an ordinary cloud. The air pressure inside a tornado is low. This cools air that enters into it, causing moisture in that air to condense. A tornado also often lifts up a cloud of dust, but that is a separate feature from the funnel.

Answer 5

A funnel cloud is made up of condensed water droplets or ice particles that form a rotating, funnel-shaped cloud descending from a larger storm cloud. It is typically associated with severe thunderstorms and tornadoes.

Answer 6

a tornado

Answer 7

A tornado