Updated

Tornado warnings issued for southwest corner of Manitoba

Serious storms brewing to the southwest could endanger Manitobans living, working and travelling near the U.S. border and Saskatchewan boundary.

Brief funnel clouds spotted amid heavy thunderstorm activity

CBC News ·
The weather map of southwestern Manitoba shows thunderstorms, lightning strikes and a pair of tornado warnings. (CBC)

Tornado warnings have been issued for the southwest corner of Manitoba, as wild weather makes its way across the province.

Environment Canada said spotters have seen brief funnel clouds accompanying severe thunderstorms that could bring damaging winds, large hail and locally intense rainfall.

The entire southwest corner of Manitoba had been under threat due to potentially damaging thunderstorms and possible tornadoes.

Environment Canada has issued extreme weather warnings and watches for the province's southwest.

A tornado warning is in effect for: 

  • Municipality of Killarney - Turtle Mountain — 8:16 p.m.
  • ​Municipality of Boissevain - Morton, including Turtle Mountain Provincial Park — 8:16 p.m.

Tornado warnings ended for: 

  • Municipality of Deloraine - Winchester — 8:16 p.m.
  • ​Municipality of Brenda - Waskada, including Medora and Goodlands — 7:53 p.m.

Severe thunderstorm warnings are in effect for: 

  • Brandon - Neepawa - Carberry - Treherne
  • Selkirk - Gimli - Stonewall - Woodlands
  • Portage la Prairie - Headingley - Brunkild - Carman
  • ​Killarney - Pilot Mound - Manitou

Severe thunderstorm watches are in effect for: 

  • City of Winnipeg
  • Dugald - Beausejour - Grand Beach
  • Morden - Winkler - Altona - Morris
  • Selkirk - Gimli - Stonewall - Woodlands
  • Ste. Rose - McCreary - Alonsa - Gladstone
  • Steinbach - St. Adolphe - Emerson - Vita - Richer
  • ​Portage la Prairie - Headingley - Brunkild - Carman
Areas in red are under a warnings. Yellow indicates severe weather watches are in effect. (Environment Canada)

Meteorologists are tracking very strong wind gusts and nickel to baseball-sized hail. 

​With a warm front edging up into Manitoba from Saskatchewan, the strongest threats are in southwestern Manitoba. Moisture, instability and strong winds could pick up, CBC meteorologist John Sauder said.

The forecast calls for "damaging winds" and "torrential downpours."

Sauder said to be aware of the potential for wind gusts over 100 km/h and hail about 3-5 centimetres in diameter. Heavy rainfall and rotating winds could also pose a danger.

"This is a dangerous and potentially life-threatening situation," Environment Canada says. 

Overnight, the storms will move into the Red River Valley, with the potential for weaker wind gusts and smaller hail.

Look out

Environment Canada urges Manitobans to stay alert.

"Be prepared for severe weather. Take cover immediately if threatening weather approaches."

Sauder advises anyone caught in major wind storms or in the vicinity of blackening skies to keep watch for tornadoes. If Environment Canada issues a tornado warning, seek shelter in the lowest place, stay away from outside walls and windows and protect your head.

With files from Dana Hatherly