‘Apocalyptic’ funnel cloud spotted over North Yorkshire skies

The rare phenomenon, called a funnel cloud, which was spotted near Harrogate, was spotted by passers-by just above the A1 motorway on Tuesday (August 29).

Believing the cloud was “unique”, the people behind the Harrogate Tea Rooms then shared a picture of the cloud – and what came next was an influx of interest from people.

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The post, sent last Tuesday, has since been shared hundreds of times and attracted interest in America.

In the photo a spiral cloud with a background of black clouds and heavy rain clouds can be seen over Marton-cum-Grafton.

As well as the interest seen on social media, Harrogate Tea Rooms owner Tony Wilkinson appeared on BBC Radio York earlier this week to talk about the “accidental” sighting.

He said on the show: “We didn’t realize how rare it was until we posted it on Twitter and saw the reaction.”

The funnel cloud near Harrogate (Image: THE HARROGATE TEA ROOM)

“At first we thought we missed it, but we were in the right place at the right time.”

After the image was shared, many people were eager to chime in in the comments section, with one person saying: “It’s almost apocalyptic,” while another simply added: “This is absolutely amazing.”

So what is a funnel cloud?

The cone-shaped formations, also called tubas, are formed when a rotating column of wind sucks droplets from the base of storm clouds, according to the Met Office.

The cloud has provoked many reactions (Image: THE HARROGATE TEA ROOM)

It is the same process by which tornadoes form, but funnel clouds only become a tornado when they reach Earth, or are known as water spouts when they reach a body of water.

Funnel clouds form predominantly from cumulonimbus clouds and are usually associated with heavy rain, hail, thunder and lightning, according to the Met Office.