Possible funnel clouds spotted in south-central and southwestern parts of Sask. - Action News
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Saskatchewan

Possible funnel clouds spotted in south-central and southwestern parts of Sask.

Images and videos of funnel clouds in Saskatchewan flooded social media over the long weekend. Environment and Climate Change Canada says the clouds are typical for this time of year.

Environment and Climate Change Canada says the clouds are typical this time of year

there is a spiraling cloud forming in the distance of the image
Lacey Polk was mowing her lawn on Monday afternoon when she noticed what looked like a funnel cloud forming nearby. (Submitted by Lacey Polk)

Some were watching fireworks light up the skies over the Canada Day long weekend, but others were spotting funnel clouds in various parts of the province.

Terri Lang, a meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), said there have been many reports of funnel clouds in the province.

However, Langsaidit's still to-be-determined if the funnels actually touched downin many of these cases. Shesaid clouds can appear to be something they're not.

"We get lots and lots and lots and lots of reports of funnel clouds when it's actually just what we call scud cloud, so just appendages of clouds kind of hanging at the bottom of the clouds," said Lang.

a white funnel cloud is forming in the distance
Melville resident Lacey Polk photographed what looked like two funnel clouds near her home on Monday around 3 p.m. CST. (Submitted by Lacey Polk)

Smooth edges to the funnel and the cloud rotating are key indicators of an actual funnel cloud, whereas scuds are more rigid in appearance.

For now, Lang said ECCCis still trying to find evidence of clouds touching down, or of any damage they may have caused.

As for the conditions that cause funnel clouds, Lang said there are "cold core funnels" that form in unstable atmospheres, likewhen thunderstorms form quickly in the span of 10-to-15 minutes.

The cold core funnels rarely touch down, according to Lang, but theyare more likely to make it to the ground during "super-cell thunderstorms," which are "more organized" and allowthe funnelmore time to continue forming and reach the ground.

The reported funnel clouds rangedfrom areas in the south-central to southwest parts of Saskatchewan, but with some sighting specificallyin Gull Lake, the village of Abbey and Melville.

Lacey Polk, who lives in Melville, said she was mowing her front lawn when she looked up and a saw a spirallingcloud in the distance.

"I just kind of kept my eye on that for a bit and started taking the video, and then I realized, 'oh crap,this is actually a funnel cloud.' So I scooted around to the backyard and that's when actually I noticed that there was a second one as well," said Polk.

"I didn't think that it was going to switch directions and head our way. Maybe I should have gone into the house, but you know, hindsight."

Lang said it's best to go indoors and go to the lowest level of the building if a tornado has been spotted.

She also said funnel clouds are quite typical for this time of the year, and that more can be expected until the end of August.