An apparent tornado that whipped through open paddocks near Tungamah last Monday evening was "like something from a movie" a woman who witnessed it said.

Jenny Lawrence, husband Chris and daughter Zoe were travelling to Yarrawonga from their farm, about 10 km west of Tungamah, just after 6 pm when Zoe spotted the twister.

"Zoe just said to us `Did you see that? Stop the car, stop the car'," Mrs Lawrence said.

"It was just beautiful; it was pure white and this tunnel of cloud stretched from the sky right down to the ground."

Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Kevin Parkyn said it was entirely possible the Lawrences did indeed witness a tornado in action.

"They're probably a lot more common than many people realise," Mr Parkyn said.

They will go to Tungamah this week to learn more about the Lawrence family's sighting.

Chris Lawrence said he had never seen anything like it, despite living in the Tungamah area for his entire life.

Mr Lawrence said the twister "snaked" along the ground for about 30 seconds before dissipating into the clouds.

Mrs Lawrence said Zoe managed to snap a picture on her father's camera phone just as the twister disappeared.

"It was swirling towards us and then it was like someone just popped a balloon," Zoe said.