SCUD Scud clouds are small, ragged, low cloud fragments that are not attached to a larger cloud base. These clouds are often seen behind thunderstorm gust fronts. Generally associated with cool moist air, like thunderstorm outflow. Scud may be mistaken for a funnel cloud. One way to determine the difference is to watch for a time.
Funnels are persistent, while scud usually dissipates or changes rapidly.
In certain cases, shafts of virga may precede a downburst. A NWS product indicating that a particular weather hazard is either imminent or has been reported. A warning indicates the need to take action to protect life and property. The type of hazard may be a tornado, severe thunderstorm, flood, or flash flood. Warnings typically cover periods of an hour or less for only one county.