THE Met Office has explained the difference between a tornado and a funnel cloud after incredible scenes were spotted in the region today.
Residents right across County Durham and Darlington were amazed to see a tornado-style cloud form at around 12.10pm on Friday.
The sight, which is not all that common, saw hundreds document the event with many taking to social media to share their surprise.
Read more: Incredible scenes as 'tornado' style cloud spotted in County Durham and Darlington
It even prompted one man, who saw the event unfold from his Newton Aycliffe home, to "jump" into his car to try and get a closer look.
But the Met Office has this afternoon explained the difference between a tornado and a funnel cloud, and has answered whether residents should be concerned.
The funnel cloud captured in Darlington Picture: IAN ALDERSON
The funnel cloud near Newton Aycliffe as it appeared to dissipate Picture: GRANT PARKER
A spokesperson for the Met Office said: "Both a tornado and a funnel cloud are rotating columns of air, but a tornado has to be in contact with the ground.
"Weak tornadoes and funnel clouds are not unusual sights in the UK during showery periods.
"On average, we get about 35 tornadoes a year in the UK and we’ve had reports of a few around the UK during the showery weather we’ve had in recent weeks."
Explaining whether tornadoes pose a risk, they said: "Generally, any tornadoes in the UK are relatively weak, but could still cause some wind damage, such as blowing bins over."
The spokesperson added that it was difficult to officially confirm whether today's incident is a tornado or funnel cloud from the footage "so far."
They said: "It’s difficult to confirm whether this is a tornado or a funnel cloud from the footage we’ve seen so far."
However, the BBC's Look North weather presenter, Jen Bartram this afternoon tweeted that the phenomenon was a funnel cloud, and not the more troublesome tornado.
Another picture captures the scene in Darlington Picture: MARK BROWNLESS/NORTHERN ECHO CAMERA CLUB
One Newton Aycliffe resident, who saw the event and "jumped" in the car, said they had never seen this happen before.
He said: "This was the first time I have seen something like this. You see this on the news, see on social media, but you never expect to see it yourself.
"I jumped in the car and went after it."
Meanwhile, hundreds of comments have appeared across social media with many describing the spectacle as "amazing" and "never-seen-before."
The Met Office does not have any thunderstorm warnings in place and has issued a general forecast for the region for the weekend.
It said: "Saturday. A sunnier day in the west with showers developing again, these will be heavier and more frequent than on Friday.
"Staying cloudy and misty along the coasts, possibly some drizzle. Maximum temperature 21 °C."
--
Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
You can also follow our dedicated County Durham Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.
For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.
Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here