funnel cloud

Also found in: Acronyms, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia.

funnel cloud

A funnel-shaped cloud descending from a larger cloud, especially from a wall cloud, caused by the sudden condensation of water in the extreme low pressure of rapidly rotating air, as typically occurs in a tornado.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

funnel cloud

(Physical Geography) a whirling column of cloud extending downwards from the base of a cumulonimbus cloud: part of a waterspout or tornado

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

fun′nel cloud`

a rapidly rotating funnel-shaped cloud extending downward from the base of a cumulonimbus cloud, which, if it touches the surface of the earth, is a tornado or waterspout.

Translations

suppilopilvi

Mentioned in ?

References in periodicals archive ?

It is known as a funnel cloud until it touches the ground and causes damage.

Images reveal damage after 'tornado' and heavy rain hits Cheshire; Freak tornado leaves trail of destruction in its wake

A funnel cloud, dubbed the Turranado, was captured by residents in Turriff yesterday afternoon.

'Turranado' captured on camera

In the morning, tornados had landed, one funnel cloud after another

10. Tornado

As the updraft draws in more warm air, its rotating speed increases, and a funnel cloud forms.

An Unusual Tornado Season In The U.S

Summary: National Centre of Meteorology posts video of massive funnel cloud hovering over water on Tuesday

Rare waterspout spotted off RAK

The funnel cloud crossed State Route 99 before it dissipated around 2:30 p.m.

Tornado Rips Through Northern Arizona, Hailstorm Hits Southeast Phoenix

It is possible the sight was a funnel cloud, which is the same as a tornado - it just doesn't reach the earth.

TWISTED; First it's a heatwave, and now tornadoes are swirling in. This weather really is..

Stormy conditions created a funnel cloud in the sky over Burscough and Ormskirk.

Echos of the past

A funnel cloud usually develops as the vortex forms due to the reduced pressure in the vortex.

Experts reveal Kirkby 'tornado' was DUST DEVIL and give reasons why it formed; The Met Office have spoken about the twister that ploughed through the town

after reports of a funnel cloud at Spencer's Dairy Farm.

Tornado destroys barns near Lebanon

Describing how he came across the funnel cloud, 44-year-old Ben said: "It was between Middleton and Eggleston.