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funnel cloud
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funnel cloud

meteorology
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Quick Summary

A funnel cloud is a cone-shaped cloud that projects from the base of a thundercloud and often precedes a tornado. It is a tapered column of water droplets, sometimes mixed with dust and debris, extending downward from the parent cloud. The funnel cloud outlines the tornado's core, and its size and shape can change based on wind intensity and moisture content. While often visible, a funnel cloud may not be present or visible in very dry conditions or heavy rain. A tornado can even occur without a visible funnel cloud. Meteorologists study these phenomena to understand tornado formation, which often begins with a supercell thunderstorm containing a spinning vortex of air.123

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4 Britannica Sources
  1. tornado - Funnel clouds
  2. funnel cloud
  3. How Do Tornadoes Form?
  4. tornado - The tornado core and the condensation funnel

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