Funnel Clouds Possible Over Central Valley, NWS Warns

Brief, harmless funnel clouds could develop as thunderstorms move through the region.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 10:51pm

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A vast, atmospheric landscape painting in muted tones of gray, blue, and green, with a dramatic, hazy sky filled with swirling clouds and a faint, distant funnel cloud formation on the horizon, conveying the overwhelming scale and power of the natural world.Ominous clouds gather over the Central Valley, as the National Weather Service warns of possible funnel cloud formations in the region.Madera Today

The National Weather Service has issued a Special Weather Statement for the Central Valley, warning of possible wind gusts up to 40 mph, pea-size hail, frequent cloud-to-ground lightning, and the potential for brief, harmless funnel clouds to develop over the region on Friday afternoon.

Why it matters

Funnel clouds, while typically harmless, can still cause concern and unease among residents, especially given the recent tornado warning in the same area. The NWS is aiming to provide advance notice and reassurance that these funnel clouds are not expected to cause significant damage.

The details

Doppler radar has tracked strong thunderstorms moving north at 25 mph along a line extending from near Oakhurst to 7 miles west of Chowchilla. Residents in central Mariposa, southeastern Tuolumne, central Madera and northeastern Merced counties can expect wind gusts up to 40 mph, half-inch hail, and frequent cloud-to-ground lightning. The conditions are favorable for the development of weak, brief funnel clouds, which the NWS says can occasionally touch down briefly and produce wind gusts over 50 mph, though they are generally harmless.

  • The Special Weather Statement was issued around 3:30 p.m. on Friday, April 10, 2026.

The players

National Weather Service

The National Weather Service is the primary source of weather data, forecasts and warnings for the United States.

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What they’re saying

“Although harmless, the NWS says on rare occasions they can briefly touch down, producing wind gusts over 50 mph.”

— National Weather Service

The takeaway

This weather event serves as a reminder that even relatively minor weather phenomena like funnel clouds can cause concern among residents, underscoring the importance of clear and timely communication from authorities to provide context and reassurance.