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DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - Funnel clouds are often associated with tornadoes, but not all funnel clouds develop into tornadoes. In many cases, funnel clouds form beneath developing showers or thunderstorms without enough upward motion or wind shear to produce a tornado. That was the case today. 

A funnel cloud is a rotating, cone- or rope-shaped cloud that hangs beneath a storm’s base. They form when a column of rotating air develops within a storm but doesn't reach the ground. Only when the rotating funnel cloud touches the ground does it become a tornado. 

Earlier today, there was insufficient upward motion to allow the funnel cloud to stretch and strengthen. Once rain started falling from the cloud base, the evaporative-cooled dense air allowed the funnel to dissipate rapidly. The biggest concern is the amount of rain associated with these storms. Isolated flash flooding with 1-3" rain amounts in one hour is possible in the larger storms tonight. 

Stay safe and stay weather-aware.   

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