Cold Air Funnels Explained: What to Expect This Storm Season | This Week in Weather Episode 2

Last week, Green Country experienced cold air funnels, and although visually striking, they rarely pose much of a threat.

Stephen Nehrenz breaks down "Cold Air Funnels" and our May weather so far, This Week in Weather

What Are Cold Air Funnels?

Last week, Green Country saw some weather that sparked a few questions, specifically about strange-looking funnel clouds. These weren’t your typical spring storm funnels but rather cold air funnels, a phenomenon triggered by colder temperatures in the upper atmosphere rather than the surface.

Stephen Nehrenz explained that these funnels form when mild surface temperatures clash with colder temperatures aloft due to an upper-level low. While they look dramatic, they rarely touch down or cause damage. We saw these in northwestern Oklahoma, but nothing dangerous developed.

Oklahoma Weather Has Been Quiet… But Not for Much Longer

After an incredibly active April, the last week or so has offered a rare spring break from severe storms, thanks in part to a stubborn cap in the atmosphere. This warm air aloft prevents thunderstorms from forming, even when everything else is in place.

However, that quiet stretch won’t last much longer. Upper-level patterns are shifting, and Nehrenz expects more classic severe weather setups to return by Sunday and into next week.

That includes potential daily rounds of storms in eastern Oklahoma and southeast Kansas.

May: Oklahoma’s Peak Tornado Month

Nehrenz walked through Oklahoma’s historical tornado averages. May is typically the busiest month for tornadoes, averaging around 24–25 tornadoes statewide.

1. In 2024, Oklahoma saw 54 tornadoes in May.
2. In 2019, the state set a record with 105 tornadoes during the month.
3. So far in 2025, tornado activity has been slower, but we’re not even halfway through May yet.

What to Expect This Week

1. Tuesday & Wednesday: Near-record highs in the upper 80s and low 90s.
2. Thursday & Friday: Mostly capped atmosphere, keeping storm chances low.
3. Saturday Night: Tuesday: More instability and upper-level support return, increasing chances for strong to severe storms.

Related Story: Nearing record highs soon before weekend storm chances return

Nehrenz said these storms won’t be constant, but we could see multiple rounds of severe weather, especially by Sunday.

The CAP: What It Is and Why It Matters

A key concept in forecasting severe weather is the cap, a layer of warm air that blocks rising air from developing into storms. Breaking the cap usually requires:

1. Daytime heating to overcome the warmer air above
2. Frontal boundaries or upper-level disturbances provide lift

Through Friday, the cap is expected to hold. But by Sunday, it weakens, opening the door for more widespread storm activity.

Prepare for a Stormy Stretch

As we head into graduation season and major weekend events, Nehrenz encourages everyone to have indoor backup plans and review severe weather safety tips.

“We’ve had a nice break by May standards,” he said. “But we can only hold it off for so long.”