Hastings, Neb. – Cold air funnels were spotted Monday afternoon across parts of south central Nebraska, with the latest report coming from the Holdrege area around 2 p.m. The National Weather Service in Hastings says additional funnels could form through 5 p.m., though tornadoes are not expected.
According to the NWS, the funnels are developing in weak showers and thunderstorms over counties including Buffalo, Phelps, Dawson, Gosper, Kearney, and Franklin. While they may appear tornado-like, cold air funnels rarely reach the ground and typically cause little to no damage.
Residents from Lexington to Alma may notice narrow, rope-like funnels beneath small storm clouds. The weather service advises taking basic tornado safety precautions if one is sighted, then reporting the activity to local law enforcement or the Hastings forecast office.
Cold air funnels form when a shower’s updraft stretches small pockets of rotation in the atmosphere, similar to a landspout. They usually dissipate within minutes.
This activity is expected to diminish by early evening as showers weaken.
