Tropical funnel clouds are relatively weak, visual weather phenomena that occur under specific atmospheric conditions. According to provided information, tropical funnel clouds are short-lived, funnel-shaped rotations descending below a cloud that occur during tropical conditions of high temperatures and humidity.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
- Funnel-Shaped: These clouds exhibit a characteristic funnel shape extending downwards from a parent cloud.
- Short-Lived: Tropical funnel clouds tend to be transient, meaning they don't last for very long.
- Tropical Conditions: As the name implies, they are associated with tropical environments characterized by high temperatures and significant humidity.
- Rotation: The funnel cloud is formed by a rotating column of air.
While they may appear similar to tornadoes, tropical funnel clouds are generally weaker and don't always reach the ground. They are a visual manifestation of localized atmospheric instability in tropical regions.