Storm causes flash flooding in Saskatoon

A fast-moving thunderstorm Friday afternoon dumped heavy rain in central Saskatchewan.

Environment Canada Meteorologist Terri Lang said weather stations in Saskatoon reported up to 25 millimetres, or just under one inch, of rain in one hour.

It meant washed out streets as people began their drive home from work.

Reports of flooded streets included Eighth Street, Rusholme Road near E.D. Feehan Catholic High School and in the Westmount area as sewers struggled to keep up.

Wow! The rain left behind one massive puddle at 8th Street and McKinnon Ave S. Drivers taking things nice and slow #yxe #traffic @CKOMNews pic.twitter.com/5s5JjrquKl

— Daniella Ponticelli (@Ms_dponticelli) June 22, 2018

“These types of storms are called pulse storms,” Lang told 650 CKOM. “They’re being driven by the heat of the day so at night they sort of just die out.”

According to Lang, the path of pulse storms is hard to predict because they often pop up in place of another storm as it collapses.

The same heavy rain hit Warman as well with fire rescue tweeting that two inches of rain fell within a 25 minute period.

Well that escalated quickly! Large cell developed directly over Warman, estimating 2” rain in 25 minutes. Watch for flooded intersections and don’t let your kids play in large puddles in case manhole is dislodged. Be safe. #SKSTORM pic.twitter.com/2yN9uYONAP

— Warman Fire Rescue (@WarmanFire) June 22, 2018

Lang expects more of these pulse storms to hit the region on Saturday with highs of 26 C or more in the forecast.