Rare March Funnel Cloud Spotted Near Sterling, Colorado

Sudden shift in weather patterns produces unusual early-season weather event.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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A cold front moving through Colorado's Front Range on Tuesday brought much-needed rain and cooler temperatures, but also an unexpected weather phenomenon - a funnel cloud near the city of Sterling. While not as powerful as a tornado, the rare March funnel cloud was captured by a local rancher and highlights the unpredictable nature of springtime weather in the region.

Why it matters

Funnel clouds and tornadoes are typically more common in Colorado during the late spring and summer months, so seeing one form in early March is quite unusual. This event underscores how climate change can disrupt historical weather patterns and produce more erratic and extreme weather events, even in areas not typically associated with severe storms.

The details

The funnel cloud formed around 3 p.m. on Tuesday as a cold front moved through the region, dropping temperatures in Denver from a high of 70 on Monday to just 46 on Tuesday. While funnel clouds do not typically touch the ground like a tornado, they are created by the same convective air currents and can potentially develop into a more destructive tornado. Weather experts say cold air funnels like the one seen near Sterling are usually harmless, but can occasionally touch down as a weak EF-0 tornado.

  • The funnel cloud was spotted around 3 p.m. on Tuesday, March 4, 2026.
  • Temperatures in Denver dropped from a high of 70 on Monday to just 46 on Tuesday as the cold front moved through.

The players

National Weather Service

The National Weather Service is the primary weather forecasting agency for the United States, providing weather data, forecasts and warnings to the public.

Local Rancher

An unnamed local rancher in the Sterling, Colorado area who captured a photograph of the rare March funnel cloud.

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What they’re saying

“The threat of tornadoes in Colorado increases rapidly in May and continues through August. Ninety percent of Colorado tornadoes occur during this four month period, but tornadoes have been reported as early as February and as late as October.”

— National Weather Service (cbsnews.com)

The takeaway

This unexpected early-season funnel cloud serves as a reminder that climate change is disrupting historical weather patterns, leading to more unpredictable and extreme weather events. While this particular funnel cloud was relatively harmless, it highlights the importance of being prepared for severe storms, even outside of the typical severe weather season.