Cold Air Funnel Clouds Reported Across Mercer County; Warning Sirens Activated

Multiple reports of cold air funnel clouds prompted Mercer County officials to activate outdoor warning sirens Wednesday afternoon as storms moved through the area.

A cold air funnel was observed in the Coldwater area, with additional reports near Lakefield Airport, south of the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office and near the west gate of the Mercer County Fairgrounds outside Celina.

Cold air funnels can occasionally develop with thunderstorms like those moving through the area Wednesday afternoon. They rarely reach the ground, but residents are still urged to take shelter if outdoor warning sirens are activated.

Mercer County officials said dispatchers received two or three reports of a funnel cloud near the fairgrounds and observed signs of rotation.

Officials stressed that a funnel cloud does not necessarily mean a tornado has formed or touched down. However, with the Mercer County Fair underway and thousands of people potentially outside, officials made the decision to activate the sirens as a precaution.

People at the Mercer County Fair took shelter while officials monitored the storm.

As of the initial reports Wednesday afternoon, no tornado warning had been issued for Mercer County.

Officials continued monitoring the weather as the storm moved through the area and were preparing to give the all-clear once conditions were determined to be safe.

Residents should remain weather-aware. If tornado sirens are activated, take cover immediately and continue monitoring 96.7 The Wave for the latest severe weather warnings and information.