Severe weather leads to tornado threat in southern. Sask

South-central Saskatchewan was the site of extreme weather Friday.

Environment Canada issued a tornado warning for the Assiniboia, Gravelbourg and Coronach areas. Around 4:13 p.m., Environment Canada was tracking a severe thunderstorm that could possibly produce a tornado. Damaging winds, large hail and intense local rainfall are also possible.

Tornado warnings are issued when imminent or occurring thunderstorms are likely to produce or are producing tornadoes, the weather agency said.

By 5:30 p.m., the tornado warning was lifted, but the weather agency kept a severe weather watch in effect for the entire southern span of the province.

The Doppler Radar showed strong rotation on a thunderstorm approaching Rockglen, in the province’s far south. The storm was moving southeast at 40 kilometres per hour.

Environment Canada meteorologist Kyle Fougere said they received a photo from the Rockglen area around 4:20 p.m. that appeared to show a funnel cloud and a possible tornado.

“We couldn’t confirm whether or not it was on the ground but the way (the funnel cloud) looked, it was possible there was a tornado on the ground with it,” Fougere said. “There are actually three thunderstorms ongoing that are down in that area, all quickly moving to the south, southeast all towards the United States border.”

Of the three storms, only one was the cause of the tornado warning.

Video by William Mysko, courtesy Jared Mysko

Fougere said all three storms were moving quickly and predicted they would be out of the province within an hour.

Hina Virani owns and operates the Burning Hills Cafe in Rockglen. She said she didn’t see the funnel cloud outside of the town, but she said the dark thunderstorm clouds brought down plenty of hail on her business.

“It didn’t damage (the building), but it was scary, like it was knocking on my glass windows. I was scared, actually I was by myself in the cafe,” she said.

Environment Canada warned that tornadoes are life-threatening situations and people should take cover immediately if threatening weather approaches. If someone hears a roaring sound or sees a funnel cloud, swirling debris near the ground or flying debris, they should take shelter immediately.

When severe weather occurs, people are urged to go indoors to a room on the lowest floor and stay away from windows and outside walls. A bathroom, basement, stairwell or interior closet are some examples of rooms someone could take shelter in. People should leave mobile homes, vehicles, tents, trailers and other temporary or free-standing structures and move to a strong building. As a last resort, lie in a low spot and protect your head from flying debris.

Once the storms move out, Fougere said areas around Regina and Saskatoon could see some showers in the evening.

Sunshine is expected Saturday morning but storms could form around Regina in the afternoon.