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Tropical funnels seen across Coastal Bend this morning

Tropical funnel clouds across Coastal Bend
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CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Several reports were provided this morning about potential funnel clouds in our area this morning.

Here are some pictures we received from viewer Rick Danser earlier this morning taken at the Stary shooting range.

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Tropical funnel Saturday morning over the Coastal Bend.

The National Weather Service in Corpus Christi confirmed this phenomenon, which generally is not associated with thunderstorm activity.

Tropical funnel over Coastal Bend
Picture of a tropical funnel cloud over the Coastal Bend, taken on Saturday morning at Stary shooting range.

They typically occur in hot, humid environments when winds pick up, as they were across the area from the southeast this morning. That tends to introduce wind shear into our atmosphere, providing a situation where these tropical funnels can occur.

The NWS says these tropical funnels typically are are weak, short lived and do not reach the ground.

But they do add that if you see one approach the ground, immediately take shelter.