Tornado warnings, high winds ongoing as severe storms hit Prairies
All the ingredients are coming together for another volatile day of severe thunderstorms over parts of the Prairies on Sunday, including a renewed threat for tornadoes and damaging hail
8:26 p.m. CST/9:26 p.m. CDT - A dangerous situation continues to unfold across Saskatchewan and Manitoba with multiple tornado warnings on the eastern Prairies into Sunday evening.
Environment and Climate Change Canada issued tornado warnings for the following areas in southern Saskatchewan:
R.M. of Enniskillen including Oxbow and Northgate
R.M. of Hazelwood south of Kipling
R.M. of Golden West incl. Ocean Man Res. and Handsworth
R.M. of Moose Creek incl. Alameda
R.M. of Mount Pleasant including Carnduff
R.M. of Reciprocity incl. Carnduff
Additional tornado warnings are in effect for the following areas in southern Manitoba:
Grand Rapids and Easterville
Pelican Rapids and Shoal River First Nations
R.M. of Mountain including Cowan and Camperville
Some of these storms may also produce very large hail and winds in excess of 120 km/h.
"This is a dangerous and potentially life-threatening situation. Take cover immediately, if threatening weather approaches," ECCC said in its warning.
The agency added: "Go indoors to a room on the lowest floor, away from outside walls and windows, such as a basement, bathroom, stairwell or interior closet. Leave mobile homes, vehicles, tents, trailers and other temporary or free-standing shelter, and move to a strong building if you can. As a last resort, lie in a low spot and protect your head from flying debris.”
CURRENT TORNADO WARNINGS (SASKATCHEWAN):
R.M. of Enniskillen including Oxbow and Northgate
R.M. of Hazelwood south of Kipling
R.M. of Golden West incl. Ocean Man Res. and Handsworth
R.M. of Moose Creek incl. Alameda
R.M. of Mount Pleasant including Carnduff
R.M. of Reciprocity incl. Carnduff
CURRENT TORNADO WARNINGS (MANITOBA):
Grand Rapids and Easterville
Pelican Rapids and Shoal River First Nations
R.M. of Mountain including Cowan and Camperville
A tornado watch also remains in effect across portions of southern Saskatchewan and Manitoba amid a high-impact severe storm risk on Sunday afternoon. A tornado watch means that conditions are favourable for the development of tornadoes.
Any severe storms that develop may also be capable of producing very large hail, heavy rain, and strong wind gusts, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) added in its watch.
Pay close attention to the latest alerts in case the tornado watch is upgraded to a tornado warning in your area. Have a plan in place to seek safe shelter in case severe weather threatens your home, your office, or while you’re driving.
The original article with the full forecast for the Prairies continues below.
An intense day of severe weather on the eastern half of the Prairies continued overnight Sunday and into early Monday as ample instability, strong, upper-level winds, and rich moisture all lined up to fuel powerful thunderstorms.
RELATED: Tornado warning safety: Here’s what you should do
Severe weather threat builds again Sunday
Numerous supercells throughout the day congealed into several lines of severe thunderstorms heading into Sunday evening.
The main hazards with these storms will transition to damaging wind gusts, localized flooding, and a risk for embedded spin-up tornadoes.
The greatest potential for damaging winds will exist across southern Manitoba toward the international border, including Brandon, Melita, and Winkler.
WATCH: Spectacular supercell steals the show on the Prairies
Severe weather safety is paramount
Pay close attention to rapidly changing weather conditions in your area through the day Sunday. For tips on what to do in case a tornado warning is issued, click here.
Scout out a safe place to take shelter in your home well before storms approach your location. The safest place is an interior room on the lowest level of the building. The goal is to put as many walls as possible between you and flying debris.
If you’re in a vehicle and a tornado warning is issued, pull over at the nearest sturdy shelter. Never try to outrun a tornado.
Residents in impacted areas are urged to keep cell phones charged ahead of the storm in case of any power disruptions or outages to receive weather alerts (click here to see how to turn on alert notifications from The Weather Network app).
Stay with The Weather Network for all the latest on conditions across the Prairies.