Heavy rain, possible funnel clouds forecast for Kingston area

Environment Canada has issued a severe weather advisory for Kingston, Odessa, Frontenac Islands, Napanee, Consecon, Picton and Sandbanks Park.

The national weather service says conditions will be favourable for the development of funnel clouds today, in addition to heavy rain and strong winds.

In rare cases, funnel clouds may develop into a landspout tornado.

Environment Canada says a possible landspout tornado was reported near Almonte at 3:00 P.M. More funnel clouds and possible landspouts are possible through early this evening.

“These types of funnel clouds are generated by weak rotation under rapidly growing clouds or weak thunderstorms,” says Environment Canada in the press release. “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.”

These funnel clouds usually appear with little or no warning, according to Environment Canada.

As the remnants of Tropical storm Fay move northward, heavy rainfall will also be possible, particularly during the afternoon and evening. Environment Canada says that while it is difficult at this time to specify exact rainfall amounts, heavy amounts in the 50 to 70 mm range will be possible by Sunday morning.