A weather advisory in effect for a portion of Manitoba warns conditions are favourable for the development of funnel clouds Thursday.
Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) issued the weather advisory Thursday morning for a large portion of southwestern Manitoba including Brandon, Roblin, Dauphin, Killarney, and Russell.
The advisory notes these types of funnel clouds are created by weak rotation under rapidly growing clouds or weak thunderstorms.
“This weak rotation is normally not a danger near the ground. However, there is a chance that this rotation could intensify and become a weak landspout tornado,” the advisory reads.
Watches and warnings will be issued by the weather agency if the risk of landspout tornadoes intensifies.
ECCC said landspout tornadoes do not usually cause significant damage, but can still be dangerous. They are capable of toppling trees, damaging roofs or tossing debris short distances.
The public is warned to treat any funnel cloud sighting seriously. Should you spot one, take shelter.
These types of funnel clouds usually appear with little or no warning, ECCC said.