A funnel cloud was spotted near Sea Island in Richmond between 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on Thursday.
Social media was abuzz with residents and passengers awaiting their flight at YVR posting their pictures online of the weather marvel.
A cold-air funnel, like the one over Richmond yesterday, is usually harmless and, if it does touch the ground, it’s capable of producing only minimal damage and injuries.
A funnel cloud only becomes a tornado if it touches ground or a waterspout if it touches water.
According to Environment Canada, such funnel clouds are relatively rare in Metro Vancouver, but are more common along North America’s Pacific Coast during the fall and spring.
![cloud](https://www.vmcdn.ca/f/files/glaciermedia/import/lmp-all/770545-09funnelcloud2-web.jpg;w=960)