Heavy downpour pummels Regina again

For the second time in less than a week, Regina is drying out after a torrential downpour.

Environment Canada said a band of thunderstorms hit a broad area of the province Thursday afternoon, producing strong winds, lightning, intense rain and large hail.

Meteorologist Shannon Moodie says the hardest-hit areas were Assiniboia, Moose Jaw and Regina.

“We had quarter-sized hail early in the day in Assiniboia and then reports of golf ball-sized hail,” Moodie said. “In Regina, there’s been several reports of flooding online and the airport reported 22 millimetres of rain overnight.”

Streets in the Queen City were covered in water early Friday causing numerous road closures. The water was so deep in places that photos online showed stranded vehicles in underpasses and floating waste container bins.

Dewdney Avenue looks more like Dewdney Creek! Many drivers aren’t taking their chances, but some of them are splashing about like fish.#Regina #Saskatchewn #Canada #YQR #Flooding #SKstorm #Thunderstorm pic.twitter.com/dTWdgk5QqC

— Nicholas Iatropoulos (@nickiatro) June 2, 2023

Flooding on 3rd Ave. N. near Broad St.#Regina #Saskatchewan #Canada #YQR #Flooding #SKstorm #Thunderstorm pic.twitter.com/3MF0rRKkY7

— Nicholas Iatropoulos (@nickiatro) June 2, 2023

The storms also produced some rotating clouds, which prompted the weather agency to issue a pair of tornado warnings Thursday afternoon.

Moodie said they’re investigating a possible twister south of Moose Jaw.

“We had a report from a pilot, but we don’t have any confirmation of that,” Moodie said. “That’s the only report that we have and we didn’t actually get to speak directly to the pilot. ”

Friday is expected to be another day of watching the sky for severe weather.

According to Moodie, conditions are ripe for thunderstorms to pop up in the afternoon.

“We have a pretty broad area that could see some severe weather again —  like Regina west to Swift Current and northward through Saskatoon,” said Moodie. “We’re looking at a similar set-up as Thursday: Large hail and heavy rain.”