Rare tornado-like cloud formation surprises Pennsylvania residents

A rare atmospheric phenomenon resembling a tornado has caught the attention of residents in the US state of Pennsylvania, with footage of the unusual sight circulating online.

Locals spotted what appeared to be a tornado forming above rooftops. However, the phenomenon was actually a scud cloud — a low, ragged cloud fragment that develops beneath storm clouds in moist and turbulent air conditions. Visually, scud clouds can appear to draw in and rotate air in a manner similar to a tornado.

The rare weather phenomenon is seldom captured on camera.

A similar tornado-like formation was recorded in Australia in 2023. At the time, social media users were divided over the authenticity of the image, with some believing it had been digitally altered.

By Jeyhun Aghazada