A local resident spotted a funnel cloud on Monday evening, just outside of Chatham-Kent.
Shelley Smoke snapped a photo and posted it to Facebook at around 5 p.m., from just outside of Newbury.
“Man was that scary,” she said.
“I was very close to Newbury when I noticed the funnel forming. A lot of people had already started to pull over to take pics. The funnel ended up getting very close to the ground but instead of taking another pic, I hightailed it home. I couldn’t believe how quickly one could form. First time for me. Hopefully the last.”
Multiple photos similar to Smoke’s were posted online as well.
The weather triggered a special advisory from Environment Canada.
Officials said conditions were favourable for the development of funnel clouds and isolated funnel clouds associated with brief showers and thunderstorms were possible.
“These types of funnel clouds are generated by weak rotation under rapidly growing clouds or weak thunderstorms,” Environment Canada officials stated.
“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. Landspout tornadoes do not usually cause significant damage but can still be dangerous. They can be strong enough to topple trees, damage roofs or toss debris short distances.”
Environment Canada said isolated funnel clouds were possible on Sunday evening as well, when a severe thunderstorm watch was issued in Chatham-Kent.
– Photo credit: Shelley Smoke
