Differences between rotating columns of air

BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) - Not all funnels that form up in the clouds or near the ground are considered tornadoes.

There are a few different types of weather events that all look similar. But there are important differences between tornadoes, cold air funnels, landspouts, waterspouts and dust devils.

All thunderstorms feature a strong updraft, which is the air moving up into the storm. Then, if that is combined with strong opposing winds in different layers of the atmosphere, we can get the start of a tornado.

Cold air funnels are most common in the spring and fall when the sun is able to heat the surface level, but cold air remains above. These form under rain showers and are typically not associated with severe weather.

Cold air funnels are typically harmless and hardly reach the ground