MIAMI VALLEY — Several reports of brief funnel clouds from nearly stationary showers over central Ohio have been received at the National Weather Service in Wilmington Thursday afternoon.
The special weather statement was issued for Champaign, Auglaize, Logan, Shelby, Union and Mercer counties.
Storm Center 7 Chief Meteorologist McCall Vrydaghs posted a photo Thursday afternoon from a viewer near Wapakoneta:
These conditions are expected to continue for the next couple of hours before the loss of heating will cause the showers to weaken.
This type of funnel cloud is typically short-lived and very rarely touches down. The atmospheric conditions these funnels are occurring in is not supportive of strong, damaging tornadoes. On the rare occasions that the funnels do touch the ground, little, if any, damage occurs.
[ PHOTOS: Funnel clouds spotted across the Miami Valley ]
A WHIO viewer snapped this photo of a funnel cloud over Grand Lake St. Marys about 5 p.m.
[ Flash Flood Watch issued for some in Miami Valley region ]
If threatening weather approaches, move indoors to a place of safety. The National Weather Service will continue to closely monitor the situation.
To report hazardous weather conditions, go to our website at weather.gov/iln and submit your report via social media, when you can do so safely.