Environment Canada issues, then pulls down, tornado warning

Environment Canada issued a tornado warning on Monday afternoon then pulled it down 12 minutes later.

At 3:48 p.m. a tornado warning was issued for London, Parkhill and Eastern Middlesex County. The alert generated an automated alert message on most cell phones.

However 12 minutes later, the warning ended. As of 4:25 p.m. there were no Environment Canada weather watches or warnings in effect for London, although the forecast was calling for a 70 per cent chance of showers or thundershowers in the evening.

Environment Canada metrologist Luke Crawford told CBC News the warning was issued after a storm chaser called them at 3:30 p.m. reporting what appeared to be a funnel cloud in Lucan, north of London.

"They had a funnel cloud at that time that they were seeing," said Crawford. "[They weren't] able to confirm if it was a tornado or not. The warning went out based on that initial report."

Crawford said other photos posted on social media suggested there may have been a tornado in the area from 3:24 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Environment Canada recommends people take cover immediately if threatening weather approaches. Anyone who hears a roaring sound or sees a funnel cloud, swirling debris near the ground, flying debris, or any threatening weather approaching, should take shelter immediately.