Cold Air Funnel Clouds Spotted In New Jersey And Delaware

MOUNT HOLLY, N.J. (CBS) -- It was a scary sight for some across the area tonight -- looking up and seeing what looked like tornadoes spinning from the rain clouds. These funnels, however, are known as "cold air funnels."

They are different from classic tornadoes in that they don't form from a supercell thunderstorm, but instead generally spin up in an atmosphere featuring cold air aloft--- usually air that is much cooler than the air at the surface.

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Most often, cold air funnel clouds do not reach the ground, but remain elevated and can be seen extending from the base of a cloud.

In rare instances, they can touch down and do minor damage.