Thisn amazing picture of the the funnel cloud over Bawdrip was taken by Rob Chace @lnrwildphoto
A FUNNEL cloud was spotted over Bridgwater yesterday (Thursday) prompting many people to mistake it for a tornado.
Social media was a flutter with pictures and videos of the weather phenomenon which can become a tornado if it makes contact with the ground.
@BWMercury Tornado in Bridgwater.... pic.twitter.com/JsZUwwvOJ4
— Grunt Futtuck (@gruntfuttuck) May 14, 2015
#Bridgwater #tornado pic.twitter.com/GY8VLqiz6x
— magiktreefairy (@magiktreefairy) May 14, 2015
Funnell clouds are caused by rotating columns of air extending from the base of a cloud - usually a cumulus or cumulonimbus however they are not classed as a tonrado unless they touch the ground.
Around 30 tornadoes are reported each year across the UK, which are generally much weaker than those seen in America.
However, in 2005 a tornado tore through Birmingham leaving a significant trail of damage.
A couple of better pics of the funnel cloud over Bawdrip earlier. @BWMercury @bbcweather @west_weather pic.twitter.com/wRO9p2Qmgp
— Rob Chace (@lnrwildphoto) May 14, 2015
Did you see the funnel cloud? Get in touch with us and share your pictures and story at jonathan.millar@nqsw.co.uk or tweet @CountyGazette
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