Environment Canada issued a severe thunderstorm watch for most of central Manitoba Friday, which was upgraded to a warning for some areas.
The greatest threat of severe weather is mostly in the Parkland and Interlake regions.
The watch included areas around Arborg, Hecla, Fisher River, Gypsumville, Ashern, Dauphin, Russell, Roblin, Winnipegosis, Grand Rapids, Waterhen, Ste. Rose, McCreary, Alonsa and Gladstone.
It was upgraded to a warning for Swan River, Duck Mountain and Porcupine Provincial Forest.
A thunderstorm was tracking at 3:30 p.m. near Elbow Lake and heading towards Indian Birch.
“Conditions are favourable for the development of dangerous thunderstorms that may be capable of producing damaging wind gusts, damaging hail and heavy rain,” the warning reads.
“A trough of low pressure combined with a hot and unstable air mass will produce thunderstorms this afternoon and evening. Some of these thunderstorms will be severe.”
Tornado activity is also a possibility in the Parklands and Interlake areas, according to the Prairie and Arctic Storm Prediction Centre. The storms will continue into Friday overnight.