Not what it looks like

Weather-watchers saw what appeared to be a forming tornado over Allen County Monday, but was instead what meteorologists described as a harmless "cold funnel."

Local News

July 7, 2026 - 3:10 PM

Although it looks like a developing tornado, this weather phenomena photographed by Dorothy Sparks in Moran Monday was instead a harmless “cold funnel.” Courtesy photo

MORAN — Dorothy Sparks did a double-take Monday evening.

She and other spectators were watching a Moran Recreation League ball game at the city park, when a youngster noted what appeared to be a tornado dipping from an overhead bank of clouds.

While the distinctive funnel appeared all the world like a tornado, it was instead a harmless cold funnel, noted Allen County Emergency Management Director Jason Trego on his department’s Facebook page.

A cold funnel is when a spiraling gust of cold air pierces through a cloud, giving a definite tornado-like appearance.

Sparks noted the funnel rapidly retreated back into the clouds and didn’t descend again. 

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