funnel cloud

noun

|Updated on: 30 May 2018

Definition of funnel cloud

: a funnel-shaped cloud that projects from the base of a thundercloud and that often precedes the formation of a tornado; also : tornado 1a

Recent Examples of funnel cloud from the Web

Meteorologist John Pike said Wednesday that the funnel cloud captured on video by KOCO-TV Tuesday afternoon near Buffalo, about 150 miles (240 kilometers) northwest of Oklahoma City, has not yet been confirmed as a tornado.

— Fox News, "Oklahoma has 'likely' first tornado of 2018, ends record," 2 May 2018
The warning had been issued after a spotter on the ground saw a funnel cloud and radar detected rotation in a storm around Parkland and Coral Springs.

— david fleshler, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Tornado warning in Broward and Palm Beach counties has been lifted," 27 Apr. 2018
The funnel cloud in downtown Fort Lauderdale is moving east at 10 mph, meteorologist Chuck Caracozza said.

— howard cohen, miamiherald, "Tornado spotted in downtown Fort Lauderdale | Miami Herald," 10 Apr. 2018
Meteorologist John Pike told the Associated Press the funnel cloud captured on video by KOCO-TV Tuesday afternoon near Buffalo, about 150 miles northwest of Oklahoma City, has not yet been confirmed as a tornado.

— travis fedschun, Fox News, "Tornadoes strike Kansas, Oklahoma as 'destructive' severe weather threat remains," 2 May 2018
Martin Jones ll photographed a funnel cloud touching down in Greensboro near the campus of NC A&T University Sunday afternoon as a line of severe storms moved through the area.

— mark price, charlotteobserver, "'I literally thought we were going to die,' NC woman films close call with likely tornado | Charlotte Observer," 16 Apr. 2018
The National Weather Service is checking if a funnel cloud that was seen in Fort Lauderdale became a tornado by touching the ground.

— CBS News, "Florida weather: Possible tornado reported near Fort Lauderdale," 10 Apr. 2018
Some updates on weather forecasts, road conditions and more: 3:15 p.m.: Reader Rich Gilbert captured this photo of a funnel cloud Saturday afternoon.

— dale kasler and anthony sorci, sacbee, "Rain, hail return to Sacramento Valley; avalanche reported at Mammoth Mountain | The Sacramento Bee," 3 Mar. 2018
No funnel clouds were confirmed to be part of the storm in which the toddler was killed.

— matthew martinez, star-telegram, "Sleeping 2-year-old girl dies when tree rips RV in half during Louisiana storm | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 14 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'funnel cloud.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.