Tornado warning in southwestern Saskatchewan ends

Environment Canada has lifted a tornado warning for areas of southern Saskatchewan.

Just after 6 p.m., Environment Canada said it was tracking a severe thunderstorm near Moose Jaw that could produce a tornado. It said the storm also could include high winds, large hail and intense rainfall.

The alert said funnel clouds had been spotted during the storm, but there weren’t any reports of tornadoes touching down.

Despite removing the tornado warning, the weather service still had severe thunderstorm warnings in place for areas including Regina, Fort Qu’Appelle, Indian Head, Moose Jaw, Pense, Shaunavon and Maple Creek.

According to Environment Canada meteorologist Terri Lang, weather in the southwest part of the province has become more severe.

“The cells in and around the Moose Jaw area are showing some rotation and that’s why the tornado warning has been put out. The storms have strengthened over the last hour or so,” Lang said before the warning was lifted.

She said in the last hour, the conditions have become more conducive for tornadoes to form.

“Often what is the case is that they form very quickly and very explosively, and usually that is when the greatest danger for tornadoes is,” she said.

She advised people to watch for updates on severe weather, which is already being observed.

“We’re getting reports of some hail in Moose Jaw. If you’re in and around southern Saskatchewan and you’re getting these thunderstorm warnings, it might be time to put away the cars and such,” Lang said.

Severe thunderstorm watches also were in effect for areas across Saskatchewan.

Saskatoon was included in the watches, which also covered areas around Humboldt, Martensville, Warman, Rosthern, Melfort, Tisdale, Nipawin and Prince Albert.

The weather service said the storms could produce strong wind gusts, large hail and heavy rain.

A severe thunderstorm warning was in effect earlier Tuesday, when golf ball-sized hail fell in the Assiniboia area. That alert was lifted mid-morning.

More information can be found on the Environment Canada alerts page.