Rare March Cold-Air Funnel Cloud Spotted Near Sterling, Colorado

Sudden weather shift brings cooler temperatures and unusual weather phenomenon to the Front Range.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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A cold-air funnel cloud was spotted near the city of Sterling, Colorado on Tuesday as a rainstorm moved through the state's Front Range and northeastern plains, bringing much-needed precipitation but also a dramatic temperature drop and an unusual weather event for this time of year.

Why it matters

While cold-air funnel clouds are not as severe as tornadoes, their appearance this early in the season is quite rare for Colorado, where the tornado threat typically increases rapidly in May and continues through August. This event highlights the unpredictable and changing weather patterns in the region.

The details

Temperatures in Denver dropped from a high of 70 on Monday to just 46 on Tuesday as the storm system moved through. Around 3 p.m., a local rancher captured footage of a weak cold-air funnel cloud near Sterling. Cold-air funnels form beneath weak thunderstorms or showers when the air above is especially cold, unlike tornadoes which are created by violently rotating columns of air.

  • Temperatures in Denver dropped from a high of 70 on Monday to 46 on Tuesday.
  • The cold-air funnel cloud was spotted around 3 p.m. near the city of Sterling.

The players

National Weather Service

The National Weather Service states that cold-air funnels are usually harmless but can possibly touch down as an EF-0 tornado. They also note that the threat of tornadoes in Colorado increases rapidly in May and continues through August, with 90% of Colorado tornadoes occurring during this four-month period.

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The takeaway

This rare March cold-air funnel cloud serves as a reminder of the unpredictable and changing weather patterns in Colorado, where severe weather events can occur outside of the typical tornado season. While not as dangerous as a tornado, the appearance of this phenomenon highlights the need for continued weather monitoring and preparedness in the region.