funnel cloud

noun

: a funnel-shaped cloud that projects from the base of a thundercloud and that often precedes the formation of a tornado

also : tornado sense 1a

Examples of funnel cloud in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

With any thunderstorms that develop, brief heavy rain, small accumulating hail, lightning, gusty winds and funnel clouds will be possible. —Jacqueline Pinedo, Sacramento Bee, 20 Feb. 2024

The tornado comes less than a day after a funnel cloud briefly touched down in the county of Madera, about 30 minutes north of Fresno. —Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2024

Forrest said a funnel cloud is not destructive the way a tornado can be. Is a weak tornado possible near my Sacramento home? —Brianna Taylor, Sacramento Bee, 5 Feb. 2024

The storm, which once was a Category 4 hurricane, made landfall along the southern Baja California peninsula and brought flooding rain, mudslides and the occasional funnel clouds to Southern California and the Desert Southwest. —Greg Norman, Fox News, 21 Dec. 2023

Then, Sydney’s boyfriend watched as their 4-month-old baby was pulled out of his bassinet and into the funnel cloud. Tenn. —Abigail Adams, Peoplemag, 13 Dec. 2023

Death toll rises to 5 in wild California storms as officials assess damage, warn of flood risk March 22, 2023 Video on social media showed a dark funnel cloud forming over the Montebello area and debris flying hundreds of feet into the air. —Christian Martinez, Los Angeles Times, 22 Mar. 2023

There were reports of funnel clouds and a water spout, but no reports of tornadoes, Considine said. —Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press, 21 July 2023

The Lansing State Journal reported that Ingham County officials said a funnel cloud touched down in the eastern portion of the county Thursday night. —Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 26 Aug. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1909, in the meaning defined above