Codex · Tornado
Landspout
A weak tornado that forms from the ground up, usually below a growing cumulus cloud rather than a mature supercell.
How to spot it
A thin, rope-like column under a flat-based cumulus tower, often in an area with a boundary such as a dryline or outflow.
On radar
Often very hard to see on radar, since they are small and form without a mesocyclone.
Safety
Weak does not mean harmless: landspouts can still damage property and hurt people.
Related
Last reviewed 2 November 2026