With the spring thunderstorm season upon us in Michigan, residents may see cold air funnels — essentially weak tornadoes that usually are harmless.
“(Cold air funnels are) funnel clouds or (rarely) a small, relatively weak tornado that can develop from a small shower or thunderstorm when the air aloft is unusually cold (hence the name),” according to the National Weather Service’s Glossary. “They are much less violent than other types of tornadoes.”
Cold air funnels are more likely to develop during fall or spring season, and are usually harmless, the NWS said.
On Monday, May 5, the NWS office for Northern Indiana (which covers five counties in southern Michigan) issued a special weather statement on X informing residents to watch for cold air funnels. The weather statement was issued due to favorable conditions for funnel creation, the Northern Indiana NWS office said.
As the spring season continues, here’s what to know about cold air funnels.
How do cold air funnels form?
Funnel clouds rotate below storms and have no detectable debris or damage at ground level.
Cold air funnels form under rain showers or thunderstorms when the air is particularly cold. They are considered to be a very weak tornadoes.
Cold air funnels occur in the fall or spring because during the transition seasons, the sun is able to warm the lower levels of the atmosphere, but not the upper atmosphere.
The gradual warming causes convection (thunderstorms) to “bubble up” and form rain showers, however, the temperatures above the ground (at 15,000-20,000 feet) are especially cold, the NWS said.
What is the difference between a cold air funnel and a tornado?
“The key difference between tornadoes and cold air funnels is whether or not they touch the ground,” IFLScience said.
If a cold air funnel touches the ground, then officials consider it a tornado and issue a tornado warning.
“(O)n rare occasions they can touch down and cause EF-0 level (winds up to 85 mph) tornado damage,” the NWS said.
Residents won’t receive a tornado warning if a cold air funnel is spotted in the air because it is unlikely that it will touch the ground. Instead, a special weather statement may be issued.
In addition, “cold air funnels are usually tough to detect on radar as there may not be a lot of rotation,” the Northern Indiana office said on X.
What should I do if I see a cold air funnel in Michigan?
If you identify a cold air funnel, it is important to proceed with caution — even though they are usually harmless.
“If you’re unsure whether it’s a cold air funnel or something more intense, it’s always best to take shelter and report what you saw to the NWS,” SkyView Weather said. “These types of funnels are difficult to detect on radar because they’re so weak — that’s where your observations become essential.”
To report a cold air funnel or any weather-related concern, the NWS has a list of its regional offices in the U.S.
Contact Sarah Moore @ smoore@lsj.com
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Cold air funnels can appear in Michigan skies. Should you take cover? What to know
Reporting by Sarah Moore, Lansing State Journal / Lansing State Journal
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