Funnel cloud spotted in Stettler area; Environment Canada issues brief warning
Albertans in the central part of the province faced some very active weather on Wednesday afternoon.
A tornado warning was issued for the Stettler area and a funnel cloud was spotted before quickly dissipating.
At 4:46 p.m., Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) issued a tornado warning for several communities in the Stettler County area, including Botha, Donalda, Gadsby, Nevis and Rochon Sands.
Witnesses say they watched it for about 10 minutes before it dissipated.
ECCC ended its warning at 5:01 p.m.
At its most intense point, the cloud was very dark in colour and formed a long curve toward the ground.
UNDER INVESTIGATION
The agency says the phenomenon could have been a weak tornado or landspout, but further investigation needs to be done before that can be confirmed.
Officials say the storm occurred at 4:37 p.m., north of Botha, Alta. There were no reports of damage or injuries.
Landspout tornadoes appear and disappear fairly quickly, ECCC says, and generally occur when there is weak rotation under storms.
That doesn't mean that people should treat them any differently than regular tornadoes. You should always seek shelter and stay away from windows and doors during these storms.
ECCC is looking for more information about the storm. Anyone with details, photos or video can submit them by calling 1-800-239-0484, emailing storm@ec.gc.ca or tweet using the hashtag #abstorm.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Russia puts Ukrainian President Zelenskyy on its wanted list
Russia has put Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on its wanted list, Russian state media reported Saturday, citing the interior ministry’s database.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
A Chinese driver is praised for helping reduce casualties in a highway collapse that killed 48
A Chinese truck driver was praised in local media Saturday for parking his vehicle across a highway and preventing more cars from tumbling down a slope after a section of the road in the country's mountainous south collapsed and killed at least 48 people.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
Two killed after collision with truck on Hwy. 417 near Limoges, Ont.
Ontario Provincial Police say two people were killed after a car and a transport truck collided in the westbound lanes of Highway 417 near Limoges, Ont. on Tuesday afternoon.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Explosion at train station leads to discovery of stolen car on Montreal's South Shore: police
Police are investigating after a BMW exploded in the St-Lambert Exo train station parking lot on Montreal's South Shore.
The pros and cons of discussing mental health issues in the workplace
A group of lawyers has written what they call a groundbreaking book about how mental health is perceived in the legal profession.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.