The Orkney Image Library
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A dark cloud passed over Kirkwall on the afternoon of July 26th and my wife spotted the tail of a twister appearing from it. It lengthened to a short distance from the ground after the photo was taken. The farm of Cleat appears directly beneath it although I think the twister is probably further away than that.
Picture added on 20 August 2007
See Robert Wick's picture #3434 and picture #3435 - same date, and probably the same funnel cloud, taken from the east! That would place it moving south(?)from Shapinsay towards the airport?
Added by Karl Cooper on 21 August 2007
I hadn't noticed these pics in the library before but this one was taken about 2pm and disappeared shortly after unless it had reformed again? I'm sure the gentle wind was south westerly as the dark cloud had come over the town before that so I doubt if it's the same one.
Added by Kevin Wooldrage on 21 August 2007
Sounds about right Kevin, different funnel clouds but the same conditions; warm, moist rising air below the cloud, cool falling air beyond and the two mixing and rotating along the cloud edge (I think!).
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Added by Karl Cooper on 22 August 2007
Kirkwall
