This is a wall cloud, which has formed at the
base of a large cumulonimbus cloud. There may be rotation seen in the wall cloud and this is usually
where tornados develop. A funnel cloud may decend from one of these wall clouds at any time.
Remember that, technically, a funnel cloud is not a tornado until it reaches the ground. Sometimes funnel clouds may be seen due to the large amount of water and after they reach the ground the materials picked
up from the ground caused by the destructive forces
of the tornado add to the visibility of the funnel.
If there is little debris picked up, the funnel may
reach the ground and not be clearly visible.
There may be one or mulitple funnels decending
from a wall cloud.
Many times, in the south, these clouds are not visible due to the trees. They often occur at night which
makes them even more dangerous.
It is very important to monitor local radio and tv stations during threatning weather conditions.
These are the most destructive and deadly localized storms on the face of the earth. If you spot a tornado or a funnel cloud, you should report it to net control or local authorities as soon as possible. Then take immediate cover to protect yourself and your family from the death and destruction that these storms cause every year. Mobile homes are especially dangerous to be in during severe weather as they offer little or no protection from natures extreme forces.
