funnel cloud

noun

|Updated on: 8 Aug 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

The National Weather Service had alerted residents to be wary of funnel clouds and potential flooding from heavy rain as the storms moved through.

— joe taschler, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Heavy rain, severe storms possible across southern Wisconsin Tuesday afternoon and evening," 26 June 2018
While Massachusetts didn’t see any twisters, weather officials confirmed a funnel cloud blew over Granby, a town in Hampshire County, at 5:52 p.m. Monday, said Joe Dellicarpini, a meteorologist at NWS Boston.

— elise takahama, BostonGlobe.com, "Two tornadoes touched down in N.H. during Monday’s thunderstorms," 20 June 2018
There is a flood advisory for portions of Miami-Dade until 9 p.m. Small hail and the chance for more funnel clouds remain through the evening.

— howard cohen, miamiherald, "Tornado spotted over the Everglades, with the possibility of more on the way," 10 July 2018
Reports of a funnel cloud touching the ground came in just before 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Will County community, said Casey Sullivan, a meteorologist for the weather service.

— elvia malagon, chicagotribune.com, "Weather officials heading to southwest suburbs to confirm tornado reports," 27 June 2018
Although there was a funnel cloud sighting, any tornado, Monday, in Loudoun and Fairfax Counties has not yet been confirmed by the NWS.

— jeff halverson, Washington Post, "Monday’s nasty line of storms wasn’t quite a derecho, but was impressive by many measures," 15 May 2018
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

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.