Several social media accounts reported this Sunday afternoon the formation of a "tail cloud" in the province of Camagüey, during an intense electrical storm, a phenomenon that, while impressive, did not make landfall or cause any damage.
Fermín Antonio Peña Sánchez posted on Facebook: "A strong electrical storm in Florida at 4 PM caused a 'cloud tail', at this time without specifying the location; it seems it was 'cut off' in time."
Peña accompanied the comment with a photo gallery that clearly showcases the weather phenomenon.
On Facebook, the user Yosmelvi Páez Cornell, creator of the channel Aficionados a la Meteorología (AALM), reported that at 5:15 p.m., a funnel cloud, also known as a tail of the cloud, was sighted in the municipality of Florida, in the province of Camagüey.
The Camagüey Meteorological Center confirmed the phenomenon through its profile on Facebook, where it stated that "a funnel cloud" was reported from the municipality of Florida, and that this type of event is classified as a severe local storm.
In another post, the Meteorological Center of Camagüey added that “convective activity over our province is intensifying,” with thunderstorms mainly concentrated in the central area of the territory.
The "rabo de nube," also known as a funnel cloud, is a rotating structure that hangs from a storm cloud—usually a cumulonimbus—and can develop into a tornado if it reaches the ground.
In this case, reports on social media agree that the funnel dissipated before reaching the ground.
In recent days, Cuba has experienced an alarming series of severe local storms, characterized by hail, intense winds, and electrical activity.
Last Wednesday, a severe storm affected the municipality of Unión de Reyes in Matanzas, with wind gusts exceeding 90 km/h that caused trees to fall and damages to the roofs of homes, a local pharmacy, and the judo gym of INDER. According to specialists from the Provincial Meteorological Center, the phenomenon was caused by a trough in the mid and lower levels of the atmosphere.
On the same day, storms with hail were reported in several provinces of the west, including Pinar del Río, Mayabeque, Artemisa, and Villa Clara. In some areas, such as Juan Pedro Carbó in Placetas, Villa Clara, there were electrical outages and partial collapses of roofs, according to reports from residents and meteorologists on social media.
The next day, atmospheric instability remained active in the west, with a brief tornado in Chamizo, Pinar del Río, and another severe local storm in San Juan and Martínez, characterized by heavy hail and lightning strikes. Experts attributed the recurrence of these events to the combination of an upper-level trough, high humidity, and daytime heating, conditions that favor the development of extreme phenomena during this time of year.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Meteorological Phenomenon in Camagüey
What is a "cumulus tail" and how does it form?
A "funnel cloud" is a cloud that hangs down from a storm cloud, generally a cumulonimbus. This phenomenon can develop into a tornado if it reaches the ground. It forms due to the intense convective activity that generates rotation in storm clouds.
What are the consequences of a "tail of the cloud" that doesn't touch the ground?
When a "tail of a cloud" does not touch the ground, it does not cause material or personal damage. In the reported case in Camagüey, the phenomenon dissipated before reaching the ground, so there were no negative consequences, only the visual impact and interest from the community.
How is the unstable weather affecting Cuba in general?
Cuba is experiencing significant climate instability, characterized by severe storms, tornadoes, and phenomena such as the "tail of the cloud." These events impact various regions of the country, causing everything from power outages to material damage to infrastructure, as recently seen in provinces like Pinar del Río and Matanzas.
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