Environment Canada warns of landspout potential near Arden, Plumas, Langruth, Neepawa, Carberry, MacGregor, Sidney, Austin, Treherne, and Holland.
Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for multiple communities across southern Manitoba as conditions become favourable for funnel cloud development Friday afternoon.
The affected areas include Arden in the Municipality of Glenella-Lansdowne; Plumas and Langruth in the Municipality of WestLake-Gladstone; Neepawa and Carberry in the Municipality of North Cypress-Langford; MacGregor, Sidney and Austin in the Municipality of North Norfolk; Treherne in the Municipality of Norfolk Treherne; Holland and Cypress River in the Rural Municipality of Victoria.
Weak thundershowers expected to develop this afternoon may produce funnel clouds, which are generally not dangerous when near the ground. However, Environment Canada warns that these funnel clouds can sometimes intensify.
“There is a chance that this rotation could intensify and become a weak landspout tornado,” the agency said in its advisory issued at 3:20 p.m. local time.
These types of funnel clouds form beneath rapidly growing clouds or weak thunderstorms and are associated with light rotational activity.
The weather statement is expected to remain in effect until early evening, when the showers are forecast to weaken. Residents are encouraged to remain alert and report any funnel cloud activity to local authorities or Environment Canada.