Pic of Ennis tornado by Alan Coyne
A funnel cloud is captured on a camera phone in Ennis, Co Clare on MondayA mini tornado was spotted over Ennis on Monday evening.
Residents in Ennis were amazed to see an apparent mini twister materialise at around 4.40pm over the Showgrounds area. One man managed to capture it on his camera phone, but said it dissipated soon afterwards, reports the Irish Independent.
Martin Foudy, from Inagh, Co Clare, said: "I was driving along the Kilrush Road and was turning at a junction when I spotted what I am sure was a tornado or twister in the distance. There was no great wind where I was at the time but the funnel could be clearly seen beneath a massive black and grey cloud."
Martin Foudy, from Inagh, Co Clare, said: "I was driving along the Kilrush Road and was turning at a junction when I spotted what I am sure was a tornado or twister in the distance. There was no great wind where I was at the time but the funnel could be clearly seen beneath a massive black and grey cloud."
Met Eireann said it was unaware of the freak weather incident but added that it could certainly have happened. “If the cloud did not make contact with the ground then it was not a tornado; it was what’s known as a funnel cloud,” Mr Pat Clarke said at Met Éireann.
A funnel cloud is a condensation funnel extending from the base of a towering cumulus cloud which is associated with a powerful rotating column of air. It becomes a tornado only when it touches the ground surface.
Listen to RTE Morning Ireland interview with eyewitness, Martin Foudy.
A funnel cloud is a condensation funnel extending from the base of a towering cumulus cloud which is associated with a powerful rotating column of air. It becomes a tornado only when it touches the ground surface.
Listen to RTE Morning Ireland interview with eyewitness, Martin Foudy.
View from Corofin, County Clare
Another view
View of storm cell (images taken on Monday afternoon)
