The same weather system that dealt a damaging blow to Red Deer, Alberta, yesterday is now in Portage la Prairie. Environment and Climate Change Canada Warning Preparedness Meteorologist Natalie Hasell says there's a danger of strong winds here, too.

"Looking at radar we can see that we have an area of showers with some thunderstorms embedded and kind of spread through most of southern Manitoba at this point," she explains. "This is associated with a frontal structure."

Hasell notes if severe weather ensues here, the same strong winds that struck Red Deer are a hazard we could experience as well. She adds the storm is with us through most of the day into the evening.

The main concern is straight-line winds. Lightning is also a significant hazard. Even if the wind's the main concern, the elements related to severe thunderstorms are still possible, including hail with significant size, and plenty of precipitation. However, Hasell notes, we're not expecting tornadoes in this effect. They're not impossible, though. Straight-line winds can cause just as much damage and happen just as suddenly as tornadoes might. They travel away from the storm, affecting larger areas than tornadoes.

Thunderstorms are split into two parts. There's the updraft, which is how the storm forms -- the moisture and instability that starts the lifting motion. Those areas where cloud droplets form also form precipitation. The droplets grow larger and chunks of ice might form. That is suspended in the storm by the updraft until they get too large. Precipitation then begins to fall out of the cloud. This sees air dragged down with the precipitation and is what is called the downdraft side of the storm. The straight-line winds come from that. No rotation occurs with these winds. So, these downdrafts, also called down-bursts if they're strong enough, are plough-winds or straight-line winds because there's no rotation.

Hasell explains air is brought with precipitation down from the cloud to the ground and then spreads outwards. They seem like they come from nowhere very fast, and that speed can cause as much damage as a tornado. Twisted damage does not mean twisty winds necessarily caused it. Straight-line winds can sheer trees off. A shed or a silo that looks twisted and crumpled can be caused by straight-line winds and not always a tornado. Large hail, damaging winds, and torrential rainfall with frequent lightning all can come with severe thunderstorms and they cause major damage without a tornado present.

This low-pressure system is moving through southern Manitoba today. It's slow and wide, and could continue until this evening, she notes. A few breaks and gaps could occur, in waves. But Hasell says we can easily expect thunderstorms or showers into the evening.

Precautionary measures to take in case of damaging weather include awareness that the creation of projectiles from wind breaking off various objects can occur. This means you should ideally find shelter in a well-constructed building and get as low as possible. A basement or at least a small interior space is best. Rooms like a closet or washroom that don't have windows, putting as many walls between you and the outside as possible, is also ideal. This event today may not create those kinds of winds, but it would be wise to put some outside belongings away. Try to seek shelter if you're in the middle of it. If access is not possible to a well-constructed building and you're outside, find a low-lying area, face away from the wind, get as low as possible by crouching -- not lying flat -- and watch what happens around you. Torrential downpours come with thunderstorms, which means a low-lying area could fill up with water quickly. Avoid areas close to drains and around culverts. Other low-lying areas should be fine. Keep an eye out in case you have to move quickly.