
Funnel cloud - Wikipedia
Funnel clouds result from the low air pressures found within tornadoes. The low air pressure causes air flowing towards the vortex to expand and cool. If the air is sufficiently moist and cools to the dew …
Tornado vs. Funnel Cloud: What's the Difference? - Mental Floss
Jul 30, 2024 · Warm air rises while cool air, rain, and hail fall, resulting in rolling currents in the clouds. As the storm brews, it can become vertical while suspended in the air, forming a funnel cloud.
Tornado - Funnel Clouds, Wind Shear, Supercell | Britannica
Dec 21, 2025 · Commonly called the condensation funnel, the funnel cloud is a tapered column of water droplets that extends downward from the base of the parent cloud. It is commonly mixed …
Funnel Clouds: Understanding Their Formation and Impact
Jan 8, 2025 · A funnel cloud is a rotating column of condensed water droplets extending from a cloud but not reaching the ground. While they may look similar to tornadoes, funnel clouds do not …
Weather Spotter's Field Guide - Tornado Life cycle
The funnel forms as moisture condenses due to decreasing pressure in the tornado's vortex. Therefore, with insufficient moisture, a visible funnel may not extend all the way to the ground and still have a …
FUNNEL CLOUD Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster
Jan 4, 2026 · The meaning of FUNNEL CLOUD is a funnel-shaped cloud that projects from the base of a thundercloud and that often precedes the formation of a tornado; also : tornado.
Weather Words: Funnel Cloud | Weather.com
May 20, 2025 · Funnel clouds look like tornadoes, and form in the same way tornadoes do - the only difference is this: funnel clouds do NOT touch the ground. A funnel cloud is a rotating, funnel …
Funnel cloud Definition - Earth Science Key Term | Fiveable
A funnel cloud is a rotating, visible condensation funnel that extends from a cumulonimbus cloud and is associated with severe weather phenomena like tornadoes.
What Is a Funnel Cloud and How Does One Form? - Biology Insights
What is a Funnel Cloud? A funnel cloud is a rotating column of wind that extends downward from the base of a cloud, typically a cumulonimbus or towering cumulus cloud.
Severe Weather 101: Tornado Basics
A condensation funnel is made up of water droplets and extends downward from the base of the thunderstorm. If it is in contact with the ground it is a tornado; otherwise it is a funnel cloud. Dust …