Funnel cloud advisories, thunderstorm watches issued for southern Sask.

Environment Canada has issued a weather advisory for southern Saskatchewan, saying conditions are favourable for the development of funnel clouds.

“A trough of low pressure will lead to scattered thunderstorm development over southeastern Alberta and southwestern Saskatchewan early this afternoon,” the advisory read. “These thunderstorms will have the potential to produce a few cold core funnel clouds early in their life cycle.

“The threat for funnel clouds will dissipate early this evening as thunderstorms weaken with the loss of daytime heating.”

The advisory covered areas around Avonlea, Gravelbourg, Coronach, Assiniboia, Ceylon, Lafleche, Shaunavon, Maple Creek, Val Marie, Kincaid, Mankota and Cypress Hills Provincial Park. The list of affected rural municipalities can be found by clicking the link here.

Later in the day, Environment Canada also put out severe thunderstorm watches for areas in the south.

“Scattered thunderstorms have developed over southwestern Saskatchewan this afternoon,” the advisory said. “These thunderstorms are very slow moving and have the potential to produce locally 40 to 60 millimetres of rainfall in addition to gusty winds and nickel-sized hail.”