Extreme weather struck parts of southern Saskatchewan over the weekend, with a confirmed tornado sighting. At 4:11 pm CST on Sunday, Environment Canada verified a tornado approximately 10 kilometers outside Kelso, Sask., moving northeast at a speed of 30 kilometers per hour. Kelso, Wapella, Kenosee Lake, and Whitewood are currently under a red level tornado warning as of 4:12 pm CST. Additionally, a red level tornado warning was issued near Alameda, Oxbow, and Glen Ewen at 3:46 pm CST on Sunday due to a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado over Alameda moving northeast. This warning was lifted by 4:21 pm CST on Sunday.
Moreover, Environment Canada issued a red level tornado warning northeast of Regina, specifically around Serath, at 11:40 am CST on Sunday, which was lifted by 11:55 am CST. These severe weather conditions are part of a series of severe storms affecting various areas in the province. Severe thunderstorm and rainfall warnings have been issued for communities across south and central Saskatchewan, including Saskatoon, Yorkton, and Regina.
Meteorologist Chris Stammer from Environment and Climate Change Canada explained that a robust low-pressure system entered the province on Sunday, triggering the majority of the storms. Stammer noted the progression of severe thunderstorms from Regina towards the Manitoba border, accompanied by substantial rainfall and reports of golf ball-sized hail near Estevan, prompting multiple tornado warnings.
Residents in storm-affected regions should anticipate potential rainfall of up to 100 millimeters between Sunday and Monday. In Regina, heavy rainfall led to flooded underpasses on Sunday morning, prompting the closure of underpasses at Albert Street and Saskatchewan Drive, Broad Street and Saskatchewan Drive, and Broad Street and Dewdney Avenue. Albert Street and Broad Street have been shut down to northbound and southbound traffic at these points due to flooding.
Stammer forecasted that the severe thunderstorm activity in the province would diminish by Sunday’s end. However, severe winds exceeding 90 kilometers per hour are expected from Swift Current to Estevan, commencing late Monday morning and lasting throughout the evening.