Residents near Highland Gate watched as an unusual funnel-shaped formation developed beneath a dark storm cloud shortly before 12:00 today, reports Middelburg Observer.

The formation was spotted near Greystone Lodge, off Connemara, between Dullstroom and Highland Gate Golf and Trout Estate.

Photographs and video footage shared with the Observer show a distinct funnel-shaped cloud extending downwards from a large storm cloud towards the mountainous landscape.

@middelburgobserver WATCH | Dramatic funnel-shaped cloud spotted near Highland Gate outside Dullstroom shortly before noon today (November 5) Read more: #mid#middelburgobserver #middelburg #mpumalanga #localnetworknews #caxtonlocalmedia #CaxtonNetworkNews #weatheralert #suspectedtornado #dullstroom ♬ original sound – MiddelburgObserver

Lowvelder reported that motorists and residents travelling through the area shared footage to the pages showing a severe weather formation with a visible cloud feature descending towards the ground, with some eyewitnesses online speculating the structure could be an F1 or F2 tornado.

An F1 tornado is a moderate tornado with wind speeds ranging from 117 to 180km/h while an F2 is a significant tornado on the Fujita scale with wind speeds ranging from 181 to 253km/h.

Resident Karl Schoeman said the dark clouds had started gathering earlier in the day before the unusual formation became visible.

Weather service assesses footage

The Observer contacted the South African Weather Service (SAWS) for comment.

When shown the footage, SAWS representative Lehlohonolo Thobela responded: “Oh yes, it looks like a funnel cloud.”

A funnel cloud is a rotating, cone-shaped column of air extending from the base of a cloud. It is classified as a tornado if the rotating column makes contact with the ground.

Although the footage shows a striking funnel-shaped formation, it has not been established whether it touched the ground.

Thobela later told Caxton Network News that what he initially observed appeared to be a funnel cloud, but later images suggest it eventually made contact with the ground, which would classify it as a tornado. The area and prevailing atmospheric conditions were also conducive to tornado formation, and a weather warning had been issued for conditions that could result in one.