Lincoln, IL – This afternoon, residents in east central and southeast Illinois may observe a few funnel clouds. According to the US National Weather Service Central Illinois, these funnel clouds are cold air funnels, which do not pose significant hazards. These phenomena usually form in vertically developed clouds and rarely reach the ground.
Cold air funnel clouds are typically seen in the late spring and early summer, especially in the afternoon or early evening hours. They are unique because they usually do not accompany thunderstorms and almost never produce tornadoes. The areas most likely to witness these funnel clouds are those along and east of Interstate 57.
According to the National Weather Service, these cold air funnel clouds do not last long and end before 6 PM CDT. Unlike tornadoes, cold air funnels are not issued tornado warnings due to their low risk. Residents should not be alarmed if they see these funnels in the sky this afternoon.
