Funnel Cloud... Or Just Wishful Thinking?

[wildrover220]

Morning everyone! I'm pretty new to the forum (second post!) and I spotted what I think was a funnel cloud on the way back from a stag do in Newquay. It could of course be down to over-enthusiasm and a hangover, but what do you think? You might have to look closely at the gap between the hills (the zoom on my phone is limited to say the least!)

[Radiating Dendrite]

Just looks like scud to me.

[MAF]

welcome to NW W220 not sure if its a funnel. though looks very much like one. well spotted no matter what

[Harry]

Not sure either way to be honest - I am drawn towards scud, though it's one of the more 'convincing' scuds I've seen.

[Phil UK]

I'd agree with it being scud. I've been fooled by that sort of thing myself in the past. Probably would have been again on 28th July 2005 if I were in the Kings Heath area of Birmingham. (Only 7 miles from where I live).

That was not scud... That was a full blown F2 tornado.

Phil.

EDIT : Forgot about the Selly Oak tornado of July 1999 too. That storm had the most vivid blue lightning I'd ever seen but little did I know what was going on further north of me until I saw it on Central News that same evening. The storm itself wasn't directly overhead as it just popped out of nowhere and you could equivilate it to watching a football match in Row Z. Can see some, but not all of it.

Edited June 11, 2009 by Phil UK

[wildrover220]

Thanks for your feedback guys, better luck next time eh?

[Harry]

Thanks for your feedback guys, better luck next time eh?

To be fair - it could have been a funnel - just that it is too distant to say for sure, one way or another. If from your vantage point you could see rotation, then it's a safe bet it was a funnel. But based purely on the pics, it's too hard to say.

[wildrover220]

Actually, hold on! I've been looking at this carefully and at first I thought, just another rising scud in the shape of a funnel. But look very carefully and you can see touch all the way towards the ground. I'll have another look but it does look convincing.

It does look like that on the photo, but the 'funnel' was behind the hill in the foreground. When I first saw it I was round to the right of the hills in the photo and it was shorter in a wedge shape. We went out of sight behind the hills and by the time I persuaded my mate to stop it was longer as in the pictures.

[MR EXTREMES]

at first glance id of said yes but looking harder id say no but then i could be wrong but hey it looks pretty dam close.

ive had another look at it either it was a funnel that has just broken off.

but at the same time it the kink in it that makes me think its not.

very sharp kink in it but then im no expert so maybe a mod could help you out .

Edited June 11, 2009 by badboy657

[NL]

Well because of the uncertainty how about we call it a 'Scudnado'...

[Tony Gilbert]

Looks like a small funnel cloud roping out to me!...I have seen scud produce all sorts of shapes and tendrils but I have never seen scud produce this snake like appearance. But I have seen funnels do this on many occasions.

Well done Wildover for bringing this to our attention

Edited June 12, 2009 by Tony Gilbert

[Paul Sherman]

Only just found this thread, too preocupied with the Convective Thread!

I am going for a "YES" As well, Most ragged scudsuckers just dont have the tail like this Funnel Cloud has and the appearance is all wrong. This one looks like it was 1/3 of the way down before snaking up and creating as Tony says the rope out effect.

Good capture

Paul S

Edit: Actually did not know that by right clicking you can zoom right in, just found this by accident :wub: And am even more convinced now!

[Phil UK]

On deeper analysis... (See pic!) Something is there. Funny shape for a funnel cloud though. Behind the hill, I cannot answer as to whether scud or maybe another funnel cloud/tornado in the making.

Phil.

Edited June 12, 2009 by Phil UK

[Harry]

That enlarged pic helps puts into perspective a bit...scuds in my previous experience form at the base of a generally 'dishevelled' base. You tend to get a whispy base, not the smooth base as is evident in that pic.

My first look at the pic I was convinced scud - looking at that I am not so sure now

[wildrover220]

Well guys, thanks for all your feedback on my funnel / scudnado (I liked that term! ). I thought it was a funnel at the time, but like several other people mentioned, I have been seriously deceived by scud and over-enthusiasm previously. It was just a lucky spot really, and I'm glad I could have provoked some discussion.

Should I take myself out of the no storms club now?