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Funnel cloud development possible in Red Deer County Friday, weather alert warns

Environment and Climate Change Canada issued a special weather statement for the municipality,nearby urban centres Aug. 8
mvt-weather-alert-aug-8
A portion of Environment and Climate Change Canada's weather alert map on the afternoon of Friday, Aug. 8 showing special weather statements in grey.

RED DEER COUNTY – Environment and Climate Change Canada issued a special weather statement for Red Deer County and nearby centres Friday advising of possible funnel cloud development.

“Conditions will be favourable for the development of funnel clouds today,” the federal agency’s 10:55 a.m. Aug. 8 weather alert for the area said.

Funnel clouds, it explained, 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,” the special weather advisory said.

“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.”

If conditions become more favourable for the development of landspout tornadoes, watches and warnings will be issued by Environment Canada.

Locales included in the special weather statement include: 

• Red Deer County near Innisfail, Bowden, Penhold, Elnora, Lousana, Delburne, Pine Lake. Spruce View , Red Lodge Provincial Park and Sylvan Lake.

Mountain View County and Kneehill County are not included in the special weather statement.

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