Extreme weather conditions impacted southern Saskatchewan over the weekend, with a confirmed tornado touching down in the region. The tornado, confirmed by Environment Canada at 4:11 pm CST on Sunday, was situated approximately 10 kilometers outside of Kelso, Sask., moving towards the northeast at a speed of 30 kilometers per hour. Areas including Kelso, Wapella, Kenosee Lake, and Whitewood were placed under a red level tornado warning as of 4:12 pm CST.
Moreover, a red level tornado warning was issued near Alameda, Oxbow, and Glen Ewen at 3:46 pm CST on Sunday following the detection of a severe thunderstorm capable of generating a tornado over Alameda, moving in a northeastern direction. This warning was subsequently lifted at 4:21 pm CST on the same day. Additionally, a red level tornado warning was issued northeast of Regina near Serath at 11:40 am CST on Sunday but was lifted at 11:55 am CST.
The severe thunderstorm activity and associated warnings were part of a broader pattern of severe weather systems affecting south and central Saskatchewan. Communities in regions surrounding Saskatoon, Yorkton, and Regina were also put on alert with severe thunderstorm and rainfall warnings.
Meteorologist Chris Stammer from Environment and Climate Change Canada highlighted that a potent low-pressure system entered the province on Sunday, leading to the development of the severe storms. He 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 thunderstorm-affected areas were advised by Environment Canada to brace for potential rainfall amounts of up to 100 millimeters between Sunday and Monday. In Regina, underpasses were inundated by heavy rainfall on Sunday morning, prompting the closure of underpasses at key intersections such as Albert Street and Saskatchewan Drive, Broad Street and Saskatchewan Drive, and Broad Street and Dewdney Avenue, as confirmed by Regina Police.
Stammer forecasted that the most severe thunderstorm activity in the province would subside by Sunday, with lingering impacts including strong winds exceeding 90 kilometers per hour expected from Swift Current to Estevan from late Monday morning into the evening.
