Tornado watches issued for areas of southwest Saskatchewan

Environment Canada has issued tornado watches for some areas in southwestern Saskatchewan.

The watches are in effect for areas around Assiniboia, Gravelbourg, Coronach, Leader, Gull Lake, Shaunavon, Maple Creek, Val Marie, Cypress Hills, Swift Current, Herbert, Cabri, Kyle and Lucky Lake.

The Shaunavon-Maple Creek-Val Marie-Cypress Hills region also is under a severe thunderstorm warning.

Severe thunderstorm watches were issued for areas around Kindersley, Rosetown, Biggar, Wilkie, Macklin, Moose Jaw, Pense, Central Butte, Craik, Outlook, Watrous, Hanley, Imperial and Dinsmore.

Environment Canada said severe weather will be coming out of Montana in the mid-afternoon. The bad weather is expected to make its way through southwestern Saskatchewan — and that again could bring tornadoes to the area.

“That system is going to help provide an environment that’s conducive to the development of severe thunderstorms, particularly in southwestern Saskatchewan. There is possibly the risk of tornadoes as well,” Environment Canada meteorologist Shannon Moody said Tuesday morning.

Moody says in addition to the risk of tornadoes, heavy winds, downpours and hail could come to the province.

The initial storms are expected early in the afternoon before the storm explodes into a long line which will track through to the rest of Saskatchewan.

The storm is expected to move east, so Regina could see severe weather in the late afternoon or early evening, according to Moody.

On Saturday, southwestern Saskatchewan saw three tornadoes over the span of 2 1/2 hours. Environment Canada confirmed three touched down, near Glenbain, Kincaid and Assiniboia.

For the very latest Environment Canada weather alert updates for Saskatchewan, click here.