June 19, 1998 transcript # 238-5
Subject(s): funnel clouds
Title: LISTENER QUESTION: FUNNEL CLOUD

Well, it seems we have been flooded with listener questions about weather here at The Weather Notebook. It’s great to see such a healthy curiosity about the weather. Hi, I’m Dave Thurlow. Today’s question goes something like this:

“My name is Ted Pellman. I listen to the Weather Notebook on KUMD radio out of Duluth, MN and my question is are funnel clouds really clouds and what determines a funnel cloud.”

Let’s see I’d say that the best place to start with this is with a description of a funnel cloud. Now, picture a tornado. Now, picture it just hanging from a cloud and not reaching the ground. A funnel cloud is just this a tornado like vortex that might eventually reach the ground and become a tornado but so far for the moment its spinning winds are aloft. So, is it really a cloud then. Well, I’d say yes, but the distinction between cloud and not cloud is kind of fuzzy in this case. A funnel is an extension of a cumulo nimbus, so some see it simply as a funnel. Not a funnel cloud. But Ted, if you want to call it a funnel cloud, you won’t be shunned by meteorologists. Just remember that when a funnel cloud starts rearranging things down on Earth, it’s then a tornado.

If you have a question you can call us and leave it on our answering machine and we’ll respond as quickly as we can. That toll-free number is 1-888-724-6001.

Well, I have some time here and give credit where credit is due. Special thanks to engineer Sean Doucette. Weather Notebook producer Bryan Sejvar, our office manager Susan Ross-Parent and senior consulting-producer, Jay Allison. 

Our Show is a production of the Mount Washington Observatory and is funded by Subaru and the National Science Foundation