A CLOUD that forms in the same way as a tornado has been pictured on the A38 near Upton-upon-Severn over the weekend.

Catherine Fowles was driving with her husband Nick Fowles on the weekend when she was able to capture this picture.

The cloud has been confirmed as a 'funnel cloud' by the Met Office, which is a cone-shaped cloud that extends from the base of a cloud towards the ground without actually reaching the surface.

Although these clouds are formed in the same way as a tornado, it is very rare that are they strong enough to cause any significant damage.

Mrs Fowles said: "We were driving so it’s not the best quality, but it is great to have the hill in the background.

"It was taken somewhere between the Uckinghall and Ryall turning on the A38, Saturday March, 18, at about 1pm.

"We were surprised to see such a rare cloud and thought it important to take a photo to share."

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According to the Met Office, the clouds are caused by a rotating column of wind which draws in cloud droplets, making a region of intense low pressure visible.

They are formed in the same way as a tornado building around this localised area of intensely low pressure and are typically associated with the formation of cumulonimbus thunderclouds.

The clouds are associated with very strong winds but are only classes as a tornado at the point it reaches land or a body of water.