Tornado warning issued for southeastern Saskatchewan

Southeastern Saskatchewan was pummeled over the weekend as the region was the subject of several thunderstorm and tornado warnings.

Our live coverage can be found below.

11 p.m. All warnings in southern Saskatchewan were lifted.

8:09 p.m. - A tornado warning was issued for the RM Enniskillen including Oxbow and Northgate.

7:51 p.m. - The storm that placed the community of Griffin under a tornado warning moved to about 25 kilometres east of the special service area. It was moving northeast at 45 kilometres per hour. The communities of Stoughton and Heward are also in its path.

Previous tornado warnings were no longer in place for many areas along the Manitoba border as of 7:51 p.m.

7:31 pm - Many areas in southern and southeastern Saskatchewan were placed under a severe thunderstorm warning, as they were in the range of a “dangerous” storm tracked by Environment Canada. These areas included Estevan, Alameda, Beaubier and Northgate.

“Multiple thunderstorms show strong rotation on radar, extending on a line from Redvers south to the international border,” read Environment Canada’s ‘Orange’ warning.

7:22 p.m. - The tornado warning in effect for Carnduff, Redvers, Alida, Wauchope, Storthoaks was updated.

“Multiple thunderstorms show strong rotation on radar, extending on a line from Redvers south to the international border,” the alert read.

7:20 p.m. - Environment Canada issued an update about the possible tornado near the special service area of Griffin.

It’s moving northeast at 45 kilometres per hour. It brought associated hazards of hail, rain and strong winds.

Multiple tornado warnings issued Sunday

A tornado warning is in effect for parts of southeastern Saskatchewan.

As of 6:52 p.m. Sunday, Environment Canada said a severe thunderstorm possibly produced a tornado near the town of Carnduff. The alert said it was moving north at 40 kilometres per hour.

“Take cover immediately in a basement, interior room, or a sturdy shelter when threatening weather approaches,” read Environment Canada’s update.

The villages of Alida and Storthoaks were also in the storm’s path, according to the alert.

At 7:08, Environment Canada issued another tornado warning near the special service area of Griffin.

Environment Canada was also tracking a separate severe thunderstorm in southeastern Saskatchewan that could be producing a tornado.

At 6:01 p.m. Sunday, it issued an alert for a possible tornado near the RM of Churchbridge, which includes the town of Churchbridge and the village of MacNutt.

Also in its path were Manitoba communities and areas such as Dropmore, Shellmouth, Inglis and Asessippi Provincial Park.

Listed as a “red warning”, the storm also brings the additional hazards of 90-110 km/h winds, golf ball to tennis ball-sized hail and heavy rainfall (50-100 millimetres).

The storm is moving northeast at about 40 km/h.

“This is a very dangerous and potentially life-threatening situation,” read Environment Canada’s alert.

As of 6:36 p.m., the RM of Churchbridge was no longer under a tornado warning, though it continued to be in effect for Dropmore and Assessippi.

Earlier in the day

A tornado watch has been issued for areas in southeast Saskatchewan and into Manitoba.

As of 1:09 p.m. Sunday, Environment Canada said conditions are favourable for the development of severe thunderstorms which may produce tornadoes, strong winds, large hail and heavy rain.

The watch covers areas including Estevan, Carnduff and Moosomin.

Environment Canada said the thunderstorms could bring wind gusts of up to 120 kilometres per hour, hail up to nine centimetres in diameter and rainfall in amounts exceeding 50 millimetres.

“There is an extreme risk for anyone in the path of these storms if they do develop and move onto the east, northeast,” said Keane Kokolsky, meteorologist with the Storm Prediction Centre in Winnipeg.

Kokolsky added it’ll be tricky to predict just how long the watch will be in effect, but said it will likely last well into the evening. It was still in place as of 4:44 p.m. Sunday.

“A severe weather outbreak is expected today. Multiple thunderstorms will rapidly develop this afternoon along a stalled front over southeastern Saskatchewan and southwestern Manitoba,” read Environment Canada’s alert.

“Significant severe weather including tornadoes is probable, continuing into the evening hours.”

The alert went on to say that significant damage or destruction to homes, infrastructure or the natural environment is possible.

“In the event of a tornado, or if a tornado warning is issued for your area: go indoors to a room on the lowest floor, away from outside walls and windows, such as a basement, bathroom, stairwell or interior closet,” said Environment Canada.

“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. Be prepared for severe weather. If you hear a roaring sound or see a funnel cloud, swirling debris near the ground, flying debris, or any threatening weather approaching, take cover immediately.”

Environment Canada also cautioned those out on water to be vigilant and to prepare for severe weather. Should they be faced with threatening weather, they are urged to make for sure and take shelter immediately.

Severe thunderstorm watch

Environment Canada also placed a good chunk of southern, central and eastern and east-central Saskatchewan under a severe thunderstorm watch. As of 1:08 p.m., it covers areas as south as Coronach, Estevan and Carnduff and reaches areas as far north as Nipawin.

Regina is also included in its range. The alert carries the risk of wind gusts up to 100 km/h and hail up to 4 centimetres in diameter.

“Isolated severe thunderstorms will form over portions of Saskatchewan west of a stalled weather front by the Manitoba border. These thunderstorms will be faster moving and mainly present a hazard of strong to severe wind gusts along with hail,” read Environment Canada’s alert.

The watch was still in effect as of 4 p.m. Sunday. Though it’s difficult to say how long the watch will last, Kokolsky said it would be in place at least until around midnight.