Conditions calling for severe thunderstorms throughout Sask.

The weather Thursday in Saskatchewan is one big question mark.

Conditions are ripe for thunder, lightning, hail and vicious winds.

The only question that remains is: Will it actually end up happening?

Sarah Hoffman, a meteorologist with Environment Canada, said there is a lot to look for with Saskatchewan’s weather Thursday.

“If we get those severe thunderstorms forming, there’s the possibility of 50 millimetres of rain within an hour in places — if they become severe,” Hoffman said. “If those thunderstorms don’t form today, we do anticipate this system from the United States to move up overnight and spread showers through southeastern Saskatchewan on Friday.”

Hoffman reminded those in Saskatchewan that thunderstorms are unpredictable.

“Every thunderstorm brings lightning, which is something to take very seriously as it can be very dangerous,” she said.

Late Thursday afternoon, severe thunderstorm warnings were issued for the areas around Assiniboia, Gravelbourg, Coronach, Estevan and Weyburn. Severe thunderstorm watches were in place for regions around Regina, Carlyle, Oxbow, Moose Jaw, Lumsden and Fort Qu’Appelle.

“When people see a watch for severe thunderstorm go out, then they know that we’ve received enough certainty that it’s possible,” Hoffman said. “If that environment were to produce a thunderstorm, we would have the possibility of seeing up to baseball-sized hail, severe gusts up to 110 kilometres per hour and rain … We also can’t rule out a tornado today.”

Hoffman says a lot could change over the course of Thursday and it will be important to take notice of any watches or alerts that may come out.

Watches and warnings for storms can be viewed by clicking here.