Extreme weather conditions impacted southern Saskatchewan over the weekend, with reports of a tornado occurrence. On Sunday at 4:11 pm CST, Environment Canada confirmed the presence of a tornado approximately 10 kilometers outside Kelso, Sask., moving at a speed of 30 kilometers per hour towards the northeast. Kelso, Wapella, Kenosee Lake, and Whitewood were all placed under a red-level tornado warning by 4:12 pm CST.
Earlier on Sunday at 3:46 pm CST, a red-level tornado warning was issued by Environment Canada for Alameda, Oxbow, and Glen Ewen. The alert indicated the presence of a severe thunderstorm with potential tornado formation over Alameda, moving northeast. This warning was lifted by 4:21 pm CST on Sunday.
Furthermore, a red-level tornado warning was issued northeast of Regina near Serath at 11:40 am CST on Sunday, which was rescinded by 11:55 am CST. The severe thunderstorm sparking these warnings was part of a series of severe storms affecting various regions of the province.
Environment Canada also issued severe thunderstorm and rainfall warnings for communities across south and central Saskatchewan, including areas near Saskatoon, Yorkton, and Regina. Meteorologist Chris Stammer from Environment and Climate Change Canada noted that a strong low-pressure system entering the province on Sunday triggered the storm activity. He mentioned the progression of severe thunderstorms from Regina towards the Manitoba border, accompanied by significant rainfall and hail, including golf ball-sized hail near Estevan, prompting multiple tornado warnings.
Residents in storm-affected areas were cautioned by Environment Canada about the potential for up to 100 millimeters of rainfall between Sunday and Monday. In Regina, heavy rainfall led to the flooding of underpasses on Sunday morning, prompting Regina Police to advise motorists to avoid specific underpass locations due to flooding.
Stammer forecasted that the most severe thunderstorms in the province would subside by Sunday, but warned of strong winds exceeding 90 kilometers per hour from Swift Current to Estevan starting late Monday morning and persisting into the evening.