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Wild weather conditions hit many parts of Saskatchewan on Sunday, with heavy rain closing several roads in Regina, a critical tornado alert and severe thunderstorm warnings issued.
Environment Canada meteorologist Chris Stammers said the unsettled conditions are being driven by a strong low-pressure system and a cold front crossing central and southern Saskatchewan.
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Rainfall warnings (in yellow) and severe thunderstorm watches (in pale yellow) issued for Saskatchewan on Sunday afternoon. (Environment and Climate Change Canada)
“We have a pretty strong low-pressure system for this time of the year,” Stammers said. “Ahead of it right now, we have a fairly potent cold front through central and southern portions of the province.”
The system triggered a line of thunderstorms stretching from west of Wynyard toward Regina. Stammers said heavier storms could develop farther east as the front moves across the province.
“We’re expecting heavy rainfall in the neighbourhood of 50 to 80 millimetres by the time the system’s done,” he said.
Regina Police Service closed the Albert Street at Saskatchewan Drive and Broad Street at Saskatchewan Drive/Dewdney Avenue underpasses due to extensive flooding because of the rain.
The underpasses are closed to both north and southbound traffic and drivers should plan an alternate route, police said.
Along with heavy rain, storms developing over eastern Saskatchewan could produce large hail and damaging winds. Stammers said a tornado cannot be ruled out, although wind and rain remain the main concerns.
“With those storms, there’d be a risk of large hail, damaging winds and even a small chance of a tornado or two this afternoon over eastern portions of the province,” he said. “It does look like more of a wind and rain primary threat.”
The Humboldt and Prince Albert areas are expected to receive some of the heaviest rainfall. Saskatoon is near the western edge of the area where the greatest amounts are forecast.
“The heaviest-hit areas will be a little bit further east and north, kind of in the Humboldt, Prince Albert, even up towards Saskatoon,” Stammers said.
The southeast corner of Saskatchewan is under severe thunderstorm watches. Stammers reminded people that a watch means conditions are favourable for severe weather, while a warning means dangerous weather is occurring or approaching.
“If folks get a warning later this afternoon, we advise them to seek shelter,” he said.
The severe thunderstorm risk is expected to end as the storms move into Manitoba Sunday evening. However, rain will continue in parts of Saskatchewan into Monday.
“The rainfall with the system will actually take until Monday evening to fully exit the province,” Stammers said.
Strong winds will become the next concern Monday, particularly around Regina and across southern Saskatchewan. Environment Canada expects additional wind warnings to be issued.
“We’re looking at wind gusts of 90 to 100 kilometres an hour, kind of late morning, noonish to afternoon tomorrow,” Stammers said.
Environment Canada also issued a tornado warning Saturday after radar detected rotation within a storm. Stammers said the agency has not received evidence confirming that a tornado touched down.
“We haven’t received any confirmations of a tornado,” he said. “There were numerous storm spotters on the storm, and we never received evidence that would suggest a touchdown.”
Stammers encouraged people in southeastern Saskatchewan to monitor the forecast and ensure they can receive updated watches and warnings.
“Keep an eye to the sky today and have a way to receive Environment Canada watches and warnings over the next few hours,” he said.
— with files from CJME News
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