Landspout vs. Tornado: How to Tell the Difference
Ordinarily, when you see a funnel in the sky, it means you need to take shelter, at least here in the Midwest, but sometimes those funnels are just a landspout.
What Is a Landspout?
As it turns out, not all funnels in the sky are tornadoes. Sometimes, they are a phenomenon known as a landspout, also referred to as a cold air funnel.
In a post to Facebook, the National Weather Service out of Paducah, Kentucky, says that it is possible residents in Southern Indiana and Western Kentucky could witness land spouts today. They say they have been developing underneath some of the rain showers that have moved into the area.
Why Landspouts Happen in Our Area
There have been reports of weak air funnels, and these funnels will be possible into early this afternoon. These funnels are developing underneath a few showers and storms that are moving across the area. Underneath these showers and storms, spinning columns of air that look like tornadoes may continue to develop. - National Weather Service
How to Tell a Landspout from a Tornado
While the video below is a few years old, Eyewitness News Meteorologist Joe Bird does a great job explaining the difference between a landspout and an actual tornado.
According to the National Weather Service, landspouts are not actual tornadoes. These funnels are usually very brief and very rarely make contact with the ground. The experts say that if they do touch the ground, they "most likely" won't cause any damage.
Stay Weather-Ready and Safe
Be sure you stay safe, and make sure you know what to do in the event of severe weather. Keep reading to make sure you are prepared.
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