While it may not have resembled a Hollywood twister, residents of Drung were treated to what is potentially the first tornado of the season.
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Footage captured of the wild weather emerged on Sunday afternoon, and the Bureau of Meteorology has begun an investigation into the phenomenon.
"The Bureau of Meteorology is investigating reports of a tornado or landspout near Horsham on Sunday October 3," a spokesperson for the Bureau said.
"This investigation includes an examination of all conditions leading up to and at the time of the event.
"There were no associated significant wind observations or reports of damage.
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The Bureau's warnings highlighted the increased risk of thunderstorms and strong winds to western Victoria over the weekend.
The weather warning was also extended to Monday, October 4.
According to the Bureau of Meteorology, tornadoes and landspouts are not uncommon in Australia.
They typically occur in late spring and summer, and winter tornadoes can often be seen along southern coastlines.
Sightings are common, but many occur in remote areas and go unreported.
Tornadoes form in severe thunderstorms when there are intense winds that turn and strengthen with height. These conditions combine to produce the recognisable rotating column of wind.
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Landspouts don't need thunderstorms to form and are generally much less severe than tornadoes.
They're formed by cool air passing over hot ground, which creates an updraught.
Landspouts often look like slender tornadoes, hence the confusion between the two.
A spokesperson for SES Victoria told the Mail-Times that the reason the Bureau of Meteorology was still investigating the incident was due to a lack of callouts.
"If it was a tornado, it is likely we would have had a lot more requests for assistance," the spokesperson said.
As it stands, the SES just had six requests for assistance in its midwest region during the 24 hours encompassing Sunday, October 3, including two in Horsham and one in Ledcourt.
The Wimmera's has a history with tornados, with one tearing through Horsham in December 2020; but the twisters go back further with one recorded as early as 1897.
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