Funnel cloud, Kona:

(Unverified information)
http://www.westhawaiitoday.com/news/local-news/water-spout-spotted-kona

I was flying in south east Oregon in the summer one afternoon and spotted a dust devil up ahead and to my left. Clear day. Not a simple little one I found out. The clue should have been that it went up about 1000 ft. I was about 1/4 to 1/2 mile away when I passed by. Very very turbulent. Glad I was not closer.

tim

I like to spend time in East Oregon. But, the weather is very rough at times. The cold air from the North and warm moisture from the South can be pretty harsh for convection. Not, as bad as "Tornado Alley" in the central states however.

The high desert can be a handful !

I'll second the Eastern Oregon afternoons as a source of many dust devils. Flying into Christmas valley one hot afternoon, my little plane, with under 10 #/ft^2 wing loading was rocking and rolling all the down final till ground effect gave some relief.

A guy living on the airstrip watched me land, then came to talk airplanes, but the first words from his mouth were, "That's some rough air today!" Yup.

tom

I landed in Burns with a strong cross wind and 6000' DA. I was on conventional wheels. Made me start to really love the Scout tail feathers!

The desert is like an ocean, it will lure me into the beauty. But, be careful!