CORNWALL, Ontario – Environment Canada has issued a weather alert at 1:03 p.m. on Wednesday, July 31 that suggests there are favourable conditions for the development of funnel clouds this afternoon in the following areas:
- Cornwall – Lancaster
- Maxville – Alexandria
- Morrisburg – Long Sault
- Winchester – Newington
“These types of funnel clouds are generated 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,” read the statement.
Landspout tornadoes can be strong enough to affect trees and cause damage to roofs but do not usually cause significant damage. They can still be dangerous and throw debris.
“Treat any funnel cloud sighting seriously. Should a funnel cloud develop nearby, prepare to take shelter. These funnel clouds usually appear with little or no warning,” read the statement.
This is the second Environment Canada alert concerning specifically tornado and funnel cloud conditions during the summer of 2019.
