Extreme weather conditions impacted parts of southern Saskatchewan over the weekend, with reports of a tornado. At 4:11 pm CST on Sunday, Environment Canada confirmed a tornado approximately 10 kilometers outside Kelso, Sask., moving northeast at a speed of 30 kilometers per hour. Kelso, Wapella, Kenosee Lake, and Whitewood were all placed under a red level tornado warning by 4:12 pm CST. Another red level tornado warning was issued near Alameda, Oxbow, and Glen Ewen at 3:46 pm CST on Sunday, which was later lifted at 4:21 pm CST.
Additionally, Environment Canada issued a red level tornado warning northeast of Regina, specifically around Serath, at 11:40 am CST on Sunday, which was lifted at 11:55 am CST. The severe thunderstorm associated with these warnings is part of a series of severe storms affecting various areas in the province.
Meteorologist Chris Stammer from Environment and Climate Change Canada explained that a strong low-pressure system entered the province on Sunday, leading to the development of severe storms. He mentioned significant rainfall and golf ball-sized hail near Estevan, along with several tornado warnings. Parts of south and central Saskatchewan, including regions around Saskatoon, Yorkton, and Regina, were under severe thunderstorm and rainfall warnings.
Areas experiencing thunderstorms could potentially receive up to 100 millimeters of rainfall between Sunday and Monday. In Regina, heavy rainfall on Sunday morning resulted in flooded underpasses. Regina Police advised motorists to avoid underpasses at specific locations due to flooding issues.
Stammer forecasts that the most severe thunderstorms in the province will subside by Sunday, but strong winds exceeding 90 kilometers per hour are expected from Swift Current to Estevan, starting late Monday morning and persisting into the evening.