Strong thunderstorms, funnel cloud, hit Willamette Valley
PORTLAND, Ore. – Strong thunderstorms moved through the Willamette Valley on Thursday afternoon and caused at least one funnel cloud near Albany.
KATU meteorologist Dave Salesky said he recorded at least 50 lightning strikes by mid-afternoon.
“Very strong thunderstorms are popping up,” Salesky said. He said they were mostly south of Portland and moving south.
The storms are expected to stay strong until around 7 p.m. or so when the atmosphere will cool off and settle down.
Salesky said that’s a very typical pattern for thunderstorms in the region.
People driving near Albany also captured video of a funnel cloud around 12:30 p.m.
While the typical forces needed to make a funnel cloud weren’t present, National Weather Service forecasters said occasionally a strong updraft can meet swirling winds near the ground and create a funnel cloud or weak tornado.
They said additional funnel clouds are not likely; however, they cannot be ruled out.
