FUNNEL clouds which can cause tornadoes have been spotted over Co Donegal in the past few hours.
Donegaldaily.com reader Michelle Diver took these pictures near Clonmany at 11.50am today – there was a massive heavy shower shortly afterwards.
Said Michelle: “We spotted funnel clouds which if they touch ground causes tornadoes. It was incredible.”
An expert at irishweatheronline said: “Funnel clouds are condensation funnels extending from the base of a towering cumulus or Cb, associated with a rotating column of air that is not in contact with the ground.
“Funnel clouds become confirmed tornadoes when they touch the ground.
“Clonmany’s location next to the sea offers the possibility that the feature may have been a water spout. These features, which are more commonly associated with tropical or subtropical waters, are small, relatively weak rotating columns of air over water beneath a Cb or towering cumulus cloud.”
He added: “There has been a significant increase in funnel sightings across Ireland during 2011 with confirmed sightings. While conditions have been more conducive for such developments in recent weeks, Irish Weather Online (IWO) believes advancements in mobile phone camera technology along with an increasing awareness of funnel clouds have contributed to the spike in reported funnel cloud sightings.
“This might be construed by some as signs of climate change while others might see the event as another display of Mother Nature’s unpredictable behaviour. The reality, however, is that this weather phenomenon is not new to Ireland.”
