Environment Canada confirms that a funnel cloud formed in Montreal's east end Wednesday afternoon, creating a rare tornado-like waterspout.

Images of the event showed what appeared to be a twisting pillar of water rising out of the St. Lawrence River.

Montreal was expected to be pounded by rain throughout the day. Environment Canada warned of winds reaching up to 90 kilometres per hour, and hail two centimetres in diametre.

But despite those conditions, waterspouts are more commonly found in tropical weather.

"These systems are usually formed in places like the Florida Keys because the temperatures are warmer and the water temperatures are also warm," said Martin Belanger, a meteorologist with MeteoMedia.

"This one formed in Montreal, which is very rare."

He added that funnel clouds which trigger waterspouts are basically a "tornado over the water," and have similar characteristics.

"It looks kind of like a tornado. It's similar," he told CTV Montreal.

"It has the same winds turning counterclockwise, and the wind speeds are roughly around 60 to 120 kilometres per hour. This time it was formed over water, which is why it's called a waterspout."

There were no reports of damage from the waterspout.

With files from CTV Montreal