Funnel Cloud Over Pryor Turns Heads Across Big Horn County

Something pretty unusual caught people’s attention over Pryor on Saturday afternoon: a small funnel cloud hanging from the sky.

Seeing funnel clouds always brings back memories for me. When I was a kid, my dad was in the Army, and we were stationed in a part of the country where tornadoes were common. I remember hearing the sirens many times and having to run downstairs to our underground bedrooms. Even now, just spotting a small funnel cloud is enough to make the hair on my arms stand up.

Around 12:08 p.m. on May 9, the National Weather Service reported a funnel cloud about three miles west-southwest of Pryor in Big Horn County. The funnel was observed by an NWS employee, and photos and videos started making the rounds online not long after.

Why This Funnel Cloud Looked Scary But Usually Isn’t Dangerous

The good news is that this wasn’t the kind of funnel cloud that typically turns into a damaging tornado.

The National Weather Service identified it as a “cold air funnel,” which is something meteorologists usually see during cooler spring or fall weather patterns. These funnels can look dramatic, especially against Montana’s wide open skies, but most of them never touch the ground. That’s an important distinction.

Cold air funnels are generally weak, short-lived, and far less dangerous than the tornado-producing storms you see in other parts of the country.

Why Funnel Clouds Always Get People’s Attention

Even when they’re considered mostly harmless, funnel clouds are hard to ignore.

There’s just something about seeing rotation in the sky that immediately grabs your attention. Your brain instantly goes to tornado warnings, storm shelters, and wondering if the weather is about to get a whole lot worse.

And when videos start popping up on Facebook and X, everybody starts texting family members and checking the weather radar at the same time.

What You Should Do If You Ever Spot One Yourself

Even though cold air funnels rarely become serious, it’s still smart to pay attention anytime you see one.

If you notice a funnel cloud nearby, keep an eye on changing weather conditions. If winds start picking up quickly, hail begins falling, or the storm suddenly looks more intense, head indoors and stay away from windows.

It’s also a good reminder not to stop in the middle of the road to film the sky. As tempting as it is to grab video, pulling over in unsafe spots can create a dangerous situation really quickly.

And of course, keep checking updates from the National Weather Service if conditions are changing.

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Funnel Clouds Aren’t Common In Montana, But They Do Happen

Montana doesn’t see funnel clouds all the time, but they’re not unheard of either. Similar cold air funnels have been spotted over the years in other parts of the state, including mountain areas like the Mission Valley.