Journal readers snap Derry 'twister'
It looks like something from America's Tornado Alley but this is the moment - captured by Journal readers from right across the city - that a twister passed over Derry.
Eagle eyed 'Journal' readers caught these pictures showing swirls of air coming together in the skies over the city on Monday of this week.
According to weather experts, the Derry twister was actually a "funnel cloud" - a precursor to a full blown tornado.
Sarah Holland, of the Met Office, told the 'Journal this week that "only once a funnel cloud reaches the ground surface will it then become a tornado."
"Funnel clouds are caused by the up and down draughts that can occur within deep shower clouds called Cumulonimbus clouds. Certain conditions can lead to the rotation of the cloud at its base sometimes a funnel cloud appears.
"The weather conditions have to be showery, so a day when heavy showers or thunderstorms occur are required for the formation of a funnel cloud usually."
She says funnel clouds are not an uncommon phenomenon.
"Funnel clouds can occur if the right conditions are in place and although are not a sight you see very often, they do happen from time to time.
"In fact, tornadoes are not that common but they are a part of the UK climate, where between 30 and 40 are reported on average each year.
"Since they are usually weak, they can occur anywhere including rural areas and as they don't last very long, they often go unnoticed."
Journal readers Elaine Doherty and Paul Crooks were among those to capture the twister on camera.
They were on the Buncrana Road when they noticed the funnel cloud.
"It was pretty amazing to see as it was growing longer by the second and then it split. We guessed that the cloud was roughly over the Dungiven area, " Elaine says.
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Weather for Derry
Sunday 27 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 14 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 12 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: South east
