A tornado watch was issued Wednesday afternoon through the supper hour for the City of Winnipeg and numerous southern Manitoba communities.
The tornado watch included:
-- Steinbach, St. Adolphe, Dominion City, Vita, Richer
-- Selkirk, Gimli, Stonewall, Woodlands, Eriksdale
-- Dugald, Beausejour, Grand Beach
-- Portage la Prairie, Headingley, Brunkild, Carman
-- Morden, Winkler, Altona, Emerson, Morris
-- Winnipeg
The tornado warning was issued at 2:34 p.m. and ended at 6:37 p.m.
Environment Canada had also issued a severe thunderstorm warning Wednesday for the R.M. of Macdonald, including Brunkild, Starbuck and La Salle, but the advisory did not last long. The warning went out at 3:43 p.m. but ended at 4:02 p.m.
There were reports of loonie-sized hail in Brunkild.
With the tornado watch, Environment Canada said conditions were favourable for the development of funnel clouds or weak tornadoes.
These types of funnel clouds form out of large cumulus clouds or very weak thunderstorms and normally do not have the energy to reach the ground, however, one or two of these funnels may briefly touch down and can become destructive in a small area.
Environment Canada says all funnel clouds and tornadoes should be treated seriously and avoided when possible. Should one develop overhead, take shelter until it dissipates.
The weather agency says funnel clouds will normally appear with little or no warning.
More information can be found on Environment Canada's website:
http://www.weatheroffice.gc.ca/warnings/warnings_e.html
