Severe thunderstorms headed for southwestern Saskatchewan

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) has issued a thunderstorm watch as a system moves into the southwestern parts of the province from Alberta.

The weather agency said the storms could bring locally heavy rain and large hail, and there is also the potential for a tornado.

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The watches cover a number of RMs in that corner of the province, including Big Stick, Val Marie and Morse, where farmers are desperate for moisture after prolonged drought.

Cypress Hills Provincial Park and Swift Current are also included in the watches.

(Environment and Climate Change Canada)

ECCC said the threat for tornadoes will be monitored closely and a tornado watch may be required as the threat evolves through the early afternoon hours.

It added that the threat for severe thunderstorms will last into the evening hours so the severe thunderstorm watch may be expanded eastward as the afternoon progresses.

“Hail can damage property, break windows, dent vehicles and cause serious injury, ECCC says.

It also says that very strong wind gusts can damage buildings, down trees and blow large vehicles off the road.

During storm alerts heavy downpours can cause flash floods and water pooling on roads and water-related activities may be unsafe due to violent and sudden gusts of wind over bodies of water.

While the odds of getting struck by lightning are less than one in a million, lightning is also a danger.

The Government of Canada says that there are an average of between two and three lightning-related deaths and 80 lightning-related injuries across the country every year. Most injuries and fatalities occur between June and August, and most fatalities were people in open areas or taking shelter under a tree.

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