Funnel clouds reported, not a threat

Reports came in just before 6:30 PM of funnel clouds in LaPorte, St. Joseph, Starke and Marshall Co. Even prompting warning sirens to go off in some areas.  According to Chief Meteorologist Tom Coomes these funnels are NOT tornadoes and more closely related to a dust devil in terms of severity. 


The National Weather Service in Northern Indiana Tweeted out this information. 


We do not issue warnings for funnel clouds. We only issue warnings when there is a threat to life and property.


Again, there are funnel clouds out there, but the risk of them touching down is very, very low. 



These were most likely cold air funnels. The National Weather Service in Wilmington Ohio has a good write-up about these storms 



 In case of an actual tornado or severe threat it is better to use social media, especially twitter, our First Warning Mobile App and live updates and alerts on ABC-57 and ABC57.com.


Follow Chief Meteorologist Tom Coomes


Follow Meteorologist Greg Bobos 


Follow Meteorologist Jackie Layer

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