Weather watchers were greeted by a spectacular sight this morning as a ‘mini tornado’ blew into Aberdeenshire.
The funnel cloud phenomenon was spotted in the skies above Inverurie, Blackburn and Oldmeldrum shortly before midday today, June 29.
Scotland has been battered by summer storms over recent days bringing a dramatic end to last week’s brief heatwave.
The Met Office describes funnel clouds - or 'tuba' - as “extending, spinning fingers” of cloud that reach towards the ground.
But forecasters warn: “Never touch it. When they do reach the ground they become a tornado.”
The cone-shaped funnels stretch from the base of a cloud towards the ground without actually reaching the surface.
Today’s spectacle in Aberdeenshire was photographed spiralling down from thick cloud above homes.
They form when a rotating column of wind draws in cloud droplets, making a region of intense low pressure visible.
Typically, thick cumulonimbus storm clouds host the funnels - meaning they can bring heavy rain, hail, thunder and lightning with them.
A funnel cloud never reaches the ground - if it did, it becomes a tornado with 30-35 of these in the UK each year.
Locals expressed their wonder at today’s mini-twister.
Martin Craggs posted on Facebook: “Looked very impressive from Oldmeldrum, now some very heavy rain and ominous storm approaching.”
