Willow Thunderstorm - June 5th, 2019

Thunderstorm season has arrived in Southcentral Alaska! Jennifer Schafer shared a video near Willow that had some pretty scary looking clouds with it. Check it out!

Was it a funnel cloud or was it a tornado?

We don't believe it was either a funnel cloud or tornado, and here's the science. The video (that is actually 8 minutes condensed to 30 seconds) makes it hard to discern if there was any rotation which is necessary for both funnel clouds and tornadoes. The rotation of the clouds is one of the visual tell-tale signs of a funnel cloud. This appears more than likely to be pannus, or scud clouds. Scud clouds are ragged and wispy in appearance. In the case of the video shared last night, they were caught in the region of the storm where warm air rapidly rises and condenses, which is what made it look like a tornado or funnel cloud. Could there have been a funnel cloud later with this storm, absolutely!! 

What’s the difference between a funnel cloud and tornado?

• A funnel cloud is where a rapidly rotating cloud is descending from a thunderstorm cloud. These tend to be smooth and funnel like in appearance, but have no connection from the cloud to the ground. While scary, they pose no threat to anyone on the ground. For aviators however, that they can be very dangerous. Per FAA regulations, aviators should stay at least 5 miles from a storm, though it is suggested they stay at least 20 miles away.

• If a funnel cloud descends to the ground, it is then classified as a tornado and poses a threat to those in the path. Keep in mind that tornadoes in Alaska are very, very rare. 

Are we seeing more funnel clouds and tornadoes now than in the past?

• It would appear like we are, but many more reports happen in the summer when there is an influx of visitors to Alaska. Cell phones and quick sharing social media make it seem much more prevalent. There are a lot of unofficial reports of tornadoes and funnel clouds, but without photographic evidence or the report coming from a trained spotter, they are just anecdotes. With Alaska’s spotty radar coverage, most funnel clouds go undetected.

Officially, there have been 14 reported funnel clouds and 3 tornadoes in Alaska, though a recent study out of UAF showed that number to be closer to 41.

• TOR: 6/14/2004 Bethel

• TOR: 6/18/2004 Bethel

• TOR: 7/25/2005 Sand Point