Topic: Was this a funnel cloud?

[michaelinmckinney]

I took this yesterday evening in North Texas. I am not an expert but I saw what I believe to be a good looking wall cloud. We turned towards it and saw a funnel all the way past the trees but can't confirm if it hit the ground. This picture was taking about 1 minute after as it was already falling apart. There were no watches, or warnings for either thunderstorms or tornadoes in the area.  I was a bit taken back there were no warnings. Is it that the radars can't pick up these weaker distrubances?

[blackjack52]

I would say wall/roping out based on what you said. Not very organized. Beautiful shot.

[lddaly]

The image appears to be a scud cloud (opinion). Did you observe any of the following?

Tornadic Wall Cloud Characteristics:
Persistence
Persistent rotation
Strong surface-based inflow
Rapid vertical motion (both upward and downward)

I had GRLevel3 up for Collin county most of yesterday and observed nothing severe or rotating.

[racenet]

The image appears to be a scud cloud (opinion). Did you observe any of the following?

Tornadic Wall Cloud Characteristics:
Persistence
Persistent rotation
Strong surface-based inflow
Rapid vertical motion (both upward and downward)

I had GRLevel3 up for Collin county most of yesterday and observed nothing severe or rotating.

I agree. Looks to be a scud cloud.



Bob

[michaelinmckinney]

When we first drove up it was much more tighter and funnel shapped. Lots of wind but the tree's blocked me from seeing the ground.  The entire lowering was rotating.  We didn't think about the picture till after looking at it for a minute at that point it was breaking up.  We get a lot of skud looking clouds in with our Texas storms but this was a first for me.   I attached another shot that was taken.

Thanks for the reply.

[blackjack52]

yeah, I agree, scud.

[Weather Display]

looks very much like a funnel cloud to me (I have done tornado chasing in the midwest)
(especialy as you observed rotation)

there is scud cloud around, which is a good sign for tornado formation (ie lots of updraft (and cooling to saturation (due to the lower air pressure from the rising air)) below the wall cloud)

[blackjack52]

I'm very new to spotting, but I do know scuds can lead to TORs, even w/out a vis wall cloud. I guess the biggest discriminant would be a visible rotation?

[SlowModem]

Just in case anybody was interested in scud clouds:

Wiki

images

[blackjack52]

smart a$$

[HailHunter]

Gorgeous shot, but I have to agree with most everyone else that it does not appear to take on typical characteristics of a funnel cloud.