Arizona Funnel Cloud Causes Stir

Scottsdale, AZ – On Sunday afternoon, some Scottsdale residents witnessed a funnel cloud spinning above their heads.

The National Weather in Phoenix Tweeted just before 3:30pm local time that “report of cold air funnel cloud near Talking Stick, north Scottsdale by trained storm spotter.”

@azfamily saw this funnel cloud over talking stick resort not too long ago pic.twitter.com/NTOwicw2A1

— Dan Moreno (@Dan_Moreno_13) February 19, 2017

What is a cold air funnel? A cold air funnel is a high based, weak circulation that occurs in a cool air mass. It develops well above the earth’s surface. Since it is high based and weak, they rarely impact the earth’s surface, although they can look threatening.

Unlike typical tornadoes, cold air funnels develop in a shallow cool air mass and often behind a cold frontal passage.

–Story Image: Thomas Jarvi