It’s going to be a wet and windy weekend, with the potential for some severe weather, as Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for the southern half of Saskatchewan.
“It is about the prolonged period of unsettled weather that we’re expecting,” said meteorologist Sara Hoffman.
“We’re expecting several lows to pass through Saskatchewan over the course of the weekend into early next week with the most impactful weather happening today (Sat) and tomorrow (Sun).”
As of Saturday morning, wind warnings remained in effect for the southeast part of the province but are expected to taper off.
However, Hoffman said the rain will continue, especially in the western part of the province.
“A developing second low in Montana will push north overnight tonight and bring thunderstorms into southern Saskatchewan,” she said. “It’s going to be quite strong, quite powerful … that’s going to create gusts up to 80 kilometres per hour on the high end, and bring heavy precipitation.”
“So that’s including Lloydminster, parts as far east as Saskatoon but all the way up to Buffalo Narrows,” she continued.
Hoffman’s advice for people was to pay attention to the alerts Environment Canada sends out and if thunderstorms happen, to get inside.
“If you are golfing at all this weekend, and you hear thunder, you are within striking distance of that thunderstorm,” she said. “Most lightning strikes happen not when the storm is directly overhead but in advance and behind of the storm. Keep that in mind. If you can hear thunder, it’s time to come in.”
Regina is expecting up to 10 millimetres of rain Saturday night — a little more than a third of an inch. Saskatoon could see up to 15 mm – or about two-thirds of an inch.
Drivers who encounter a washed out road should turn back.
“Don’t go through standing water that you can’t see the bottom of because you don’t know how deep that water would be,” Hoffman said.
She added that people should bring inside any belongings that could get lost in the wind.