Funnel clouds in Winnipeg area Wednesday, but no confirmation of tornado 

Weather forecasters have been unable to confirm whether a tornado touched down in the Winnipeg area, but a few communities in southern Manitoba were hit by hail late Wednesday afternoon.

Environment and Climate Change Canada scientist Christy Climenhaga said while the agency has received several photographs of funnel clouds, there is no evidence of any tornado-caused damage.

“We’re still investigating,” Climenhaga said Thursday. “We have reports of funnel clouds in the Southdale and St. Vital areas of Winnipeg and possible funnel clouds in Dugald and Oakbank, but nothing is confirmed at this point.”

Climenhaga said until a funnel cloud touches the ground it is not a tornado and doesn’t cause damage.

Climenhaga said Gunton, about 50 kilometres north of Winnipeg, and St. Andrews, between Winnipeg and Lockport, were hit by hail the size of golf balls.

Steinbach received loonie-sized hail, while Stonewall had quarter-sized hail, she said.