Tornado Funnel Cloud

A tornado funnel cloud is a skinny cloud that looks like a cone or a slide coming down from a big storm cloud. It can look like a swirl or a long, spinning sock hanging in the sky.

How it forms — easy steps

1. Warm, wet air near the ground pushes up into the sky like a balloon rising.
2. Cold air comes in above it and the winds at different heights blow in different directions.
3. Those different winds make the air start to spin like a top.
4. The spinning air pulls water from the cloud and makes a cone shape — that cone is the funnel cloud.
5. If the funnel touches the ground, it becomes a tornado. If it doesn't touch the ground, it is still called a funnel cloud.

What it looks like

• Usually gray or dark because it is made of water drops and dust.
• Sometimes thin and short, sometimes long and wide.
• It might spin slowly or very fast.

Safety — what you should do

Always listen to grown-ups and the weather alerts on TV, radio, or phone. If there is a funnel cloud or tornado nearby:

• Go inside right away to a safe place. The safest spots are a basement or a small interior room without windows (like a bathroom or closet).
• Get low to the floor and cover your head with your arms or a pillow or blanket.
• Stay away from windows and doors.
• If you are at school, follow your teacher's instructions — they know what to do.
• If you are outside, try to get to a sturdy building. If you cannot, lie flat in a low place and cover your head.

Quick facts

• A funnel cloud is not always a tornado — only if it touches the ground.
• Scientists who study storms are called meteorologists.
• Tornadoes can be small and short, or big and dangerous, so it's important to be careful and listen to adults.

Remember: it's okay to feel scared. Grown-ups will help keep you safe. If you ever see a funnel cloud, tell an adult right away.