Favourable conditions prompt tornado watches in southern Saskatchewan
Residents across Saskatchewan are advised to monitor the forecast closely as severe weather, including the potential for a tornado, is expected to continue through Tuesday afternoon. Check back regularly for updates.
Environment Canada and Climate Change (ECCC) issued a tornado warning for southern Saskatchewan briefly but it has since been dropped. However, there are tornado watches in effect, with the "potential for tornadoes early this afternoon, which may occur quickly and without notice," it said.
CURRENT TORNADO WATCHES:
R.M. OF DEER FORKS INCLUDING BURSTALL AND ESTUARY
R.M. OF HAPPYLAND INCLUDING LEADER PRELATE AND MENDHAM
R.M. OF ENTERPRISE INCLUDING RICHMOUND
R.M. OF FOX VALLEY INCLUDING FOX VALLEY
R.M. OF BIG STICK INCLUDING GOLDEN PRAIRIE
R.M. OF CLINWORTH INCLUDING SCEPTRE LEMSFORD AND PORTREEVE
R.M. OF PITTVILLE INCLUDING HAZLET
R.M. OF PIAPOT INCLUDING PIAPOT
R.M. OF GULL LAKE INCLUDING GULL LAKE AND TOMPKINS
R.M. OF CARMICHAEL INCLUDING CARMICHAEL
SHAUNAVON - MAPLE CREEK - VAL MARIE - CYPRESS HILLS.
Conditions are favourable for funnel clouds and weak tornadoes, according to ECCC. Strong winds, large hail and heavy rain are also possible.
"A low pressure system is tracking across southwestern Saskatchewan which will bring the potential for tornadoes early this afternoon," says the weather agency in a tornado watch. "These tornadoes may occur quickly and without notice. In addition, these thunderstorms may bring the potential for large hail and strong winds. The tornado threat is expected to quickly diminish into the early evening."
Be prepared to take cover immediately if threatening weather approaches. In the event of a tornado, or if a tornado warning is issued for your area.
Recommended you take the following actions if a warning is issued:
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.
Tornado watches are issued when atmospheric conditions are favourable for the development of thunderstorms that could produce tornadoes. A tornado warning means a tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar, and to take immediate action.
Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to SKstorm@ec.gc.ca or tweet reports using #SKStorm.
*Thumbnail courtesy of Stephanie Waldner/Twitter, taken in Regina, Sask., on May 28, 2023. Used for illustration purposes."