Several “cold air” funnels are being reported late this afternoon in the Wichita area, according to the National Weather Service.
But residents should not be alarmed, weather officials say, because cold air funnels are weak, short-lived and rarely reach the ground.
Here’s a special weather statement issued by the Wichita branch of the weather service:
…BRIEF SMALL FUNNELS POSSIBLE THROUGH EARLY EVENING…
A FEW SMALL FUNNELS HAVE BEEN OBSERVED OVER SOUTH CENTRAL KANSAS
LATE THIS AFTERNOON. REPORTS OF FUNNEL CLOUDS HAVE OCCURRED WITH A
COUPLE OF THUNDERSTORMS TO THE WEST IN KINGMAN COUNTY. DEVELOPING
SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS IN SOUTHERN SEDGWICK COUNTY ARE MOVING
NORTH. ANY FUNNELS FROM THIS ACTIVITY ARE NOT ASSOCIATED WITH
STRONG THUNDERSTORMS AND TYPICALLY POSE NO THREAT TO LIFE OR
PROPERTY.
ADDITIONAL SHOWERS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING SMALL FUNNELS WILL REMAIN
POSSIBLE THROUGH EARLY EVENING BEFORE THE SHOWERS DIMINISH AS THE
TEMPERATURE COOLS.