SASKATCHEWAN — The southeast of Saskatchewan is under weather watches for thunderstorms, and other areas are under heavy rain and wind warnings for serious weather activity Sunday and Monday. Golf ball-sized hail has already been reported, says Environment Canada.
A tornado warning was issued for the Wilmar area at 3:37 p.m.
Thunderstorms
A cold front associated with an intensifying low-pressure system combined with an unseasonably warm and unstable atmosphere is creating favourable conditions for the development of severe thunderstorms. Thunderstorms are currently ongoing over the southeast and east central areas of the province and will continue to increase in coverage and eventually develop into a line and move eastward toward the Manitoba border later Sunday afternoon.
Thunderstorms will also gradually intensify early Sunday afternoon. The primary hazards with these thunderstorms will be strong wind gusts of 90-100 km/h, large hail, and heavy rainfall. Brief tornadoes are also possible with intense thunderstorms.
The severe weather threat will diminish once the cold front pushes eastward into Manitoba later this evening.
Heavy rain
Heavy rain is expected in eastern Saskatchewan, including Saskatoon and Prince Albert. Heavy rain associated with a low-pressure system continues across southern Saskatchewan Sunday evening. Rain should continue through to Monday evening.
Rainfall totals are expected to be 50 to 60 mm. Locally higher amounts up to 80 to 100 mm are possible in areas where there are thunderstorms forecast. Water will likely pool on roads and in low-lying areas. Some travel delays are possible. Local utility outages are possible.
Damaging winds
For an area of southern Saskatchewan from Gull Lake to the Manitoba border, damaging winds are expected as an intense low-pressure system will produce severe westerly wind gusts Monday across portions of southern Saskatchewan.
Expect westerly wind gusts of 90 to 100 km/h beginning near noon Monday and persisting until early evening. Winds will ease from west to east across the province by early Monday evening.
